Basso, Ullrich, Others to Start Pro-Conti Cycling Team

Big Plans: Basso prepares his 'Second Chance'

Ivan Basso has scheduled a press conference for this Friday in Milano to announce the formation of a new Continental cycling team for 2009. The currently suspended Italian cycling star has initiated the venture with recently retired German stage race contender Jan Ullrich. Tentatively scheduled to debut in next year’s Tour of Qatar, the team will feature many names currently under suspicion or suspension for doping-related offences.

When contacted by Euro Peloton via email last week, Basso expressed his optimism regarding his new venture. “I, like many suspended cyclists, have run into many negative polemics regarding a new contract to race when my suspension ends. With this new team, black listed riders will be given another chance to start over, without being judged.”

Four-time Vuelta winner Heras is being linked to Basso's new team

So will Ullrich be coming back as a racer? Far from it, according to Basso. “Jan will be one of our director sportifs and the nutritional consultant for the team. He misses cycling terribly, and I think he will be a great coach to our riders, someone they can depend on to provide the best tactics for each race and to advise them on what to eat and what not to eat to become the best athletes they can be. Of course he’ll train with us too though.”

The preliminary list of riders who have already verbally committed to riding for the newly-formed team include Jorg Jaschke and Roberto Heras, formerly of the Liberty-Seguros team, Francesco Mancebo, currently riding for the relax team, Frank Vandenbrouke, currently under contract with Mitsubishi-Jartazzi, and Floyd Landis, currently suspended for his 2006 Tour de France positive test.

Landis has verbally pledged his support to team 'Second Chance'

According to Basso, many sponsors have expressed interest in supporting the team. Basso and his management team are considering GNC nutritional supplemants, WD-40, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, Red Bull energy drink and Kryptonite locks as potential title sponsors. Like American team Slipstream, Basso plans on naming his team and having a presenting title sponsor. So what will the name be? “I have put much thought into what we should name our team, and have decided on ‘Second Chance’ as the name.”

WD-40 likes Basso's slick approach to cycling

Other names that are rumored to be joining the newly formed team include Mario Cipollini, Alexander Vinokorouv and Tyler Hamilton. Basso also mentioned another personal friend, albeit in a round about way. “Our team believes in living strong, so we want those individuals who live strong in their own right. I still have many friends in the sport, and am calling on all of them to form the best team in the world!” Any cycling fan reading between the lines will know that Basso could be talking about only one man: Lance Armstrong. Euro Peloton tried to reach Armstrong at his home in Austin, but was told by a representative that he was on a flight to Europe "travelling."

Ullrich claims that his bikes will be a part of the 2009 pro peloton

Ullrich meanwhile, has been mum on the issue, preferring to wait until Friday to make any sort of statement. When reached for comment by Euro Peloton, the former Tour de France winner did not deny the story. “I look forward to Friday’s press conference, where we will all learn more about the rumors that have been circulating.” When pressed about what he meant, Ullrich would say only that his recently formed bicycle company has been contracted for a newly-formed team. “Ullrich road bicycles will be ridden next season in the European peloton. We are currently producing the first prototypes, which will be tested and ready by late summer.”

Could Basso coax a certain 7-time TDF champ out of retirement to race for team 'SecondChance'?

Stay tuned to Euro Peloton for the remainder of the week for updates on the Friday press conference and subsequent announcements from Ivan Basso and team Second Chance.