"Hard but necessary decision". These are the first words told today by Ivan Basso after his retire from Vuelta Pais Vasco. "I hung on in there to keep up with the leaders during the first two days of the race but as each day went on I kept feeling worse when I was riding. I wasn’t feeling fantastic back in Catalunya but I thought it was just something that would pass. According with team directors and team manager Amadio we thought best choice was to stop. I’m really disappointed but I don’t want to risk nothing in view of Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege». The decision to stop was taken by Ivan together Liquigas-Cannondale management to preserve rest of spring events. Tomorrow he will come back home, then will decide with management and team doctor Corsetti the plan to recover.