Damiano Cunego Takes Second Win at Japan Cup, Ivan Basso a Strong Third

Damiano Cunego, holding good form after his recent win at the Giro di Lombardia, continued his winning ways by taking the win at the Japan Cup, his second win at the end of season one day race. Meanwhile, Ivan Basso's comeback to pro cycling seems on track, as the Italian sparked the decisive break and lost only the sprint to Cunego and Giovanni Visconti. Basso is on form and seems not to have been slowed by two years away from competition.

While Cunego's win was an impresive one, the story of the race certainly belongs to Basso, who made a great result in his first race back from suspension. The new Liquigas rider seemed at home in the peloton, and was able to accelerate with Cunego and Visconti in tow to set up the final battle for the win. Liquigas management can now confidently plan on throwing their full support behind Basso in his attempt to take top honors in his home tour, the Giro d'Italia, in May 2009.

Giovanni Visconti too should receive recognition for a good end of season run between Lombardia and the Japan Cup. The 25 year old managed fourth at Lombardia and second in Japan, and served notice to his Italian tifosi that he may be the type of rider to take on the mantle of best Italian one day rider after Paolo Bettini's recent retirement.

Cunego, with yet another impressive one day win, will once again have to defend himself from the press, who will continue to question the wisdom of Cunego's intention to try to compete in grand tours as well as one day races and classics. More and more, it seems Cunego has the opportunity to become one of the world's best one day riders, and an Italian Campionissimo. The small punchy climber will have several months to consider his 2009 program, and may yet change his mind and go away from riding for a grand tour win.

Now that Ivan Basso is officially back in pro cycling, the season can come to a close as we look forward to the January Tour Down Under. There, we will see another comeback, this time with Lance Armstrong as the leading character in an improbable comeback bid. Hopefully Armstrong will enjoy as successful a comeback as Basso, and not go the way of Raul Alcala.