Just 48 hours prior to the start of the 2013 Giro d’Italia, Cannondale was forced to accept a heavy loss as designated captain, Ivan Basso, had to withdraw from the corsa rosa due to a sudden perinea abscess. Damiano Caruso will replace Basso in the Cannondale line-up.

Wednesday morning, Basso woke up with an uncomfortable swelling. After an immediate consultation with Cannondale team doctor Roberto Corsetti, Basso was taken to a specialist for medical examination at the Multi Medica Clinic of Castellanza (Varese). The result excluded any acute pathology but has ascertained the presence of a big abscess in its earlier state. Unfortunately it wasn’t possible set upon in any way, not even through the use of a syringe.

For the entire day Basso executed the therapeutic program prescribed by doctor Corsetti, including a heavy course of antibiotics. The situation was controlled until the consultation in the evening at the team hotel in Caserta, where all the riders arrived in advance for the Giro.

This morning, after a new evaluation, it was clear that Basso would be unable to pedal during the coming days. Doctor Corsetti, in agreement with the athlete, team manager Amadio and Directeur Sportifs Zanatta, Mariuzzo and Volpi, decided to withdraw Basso from the Giro d’Italia.

Speaking to Italian newspaper La Stampa, Basso expressed his sadness to leave the race before it had even begun.

“This injury has taken me by complete surprise,” Basso told the Italian paper. “I’m truly saddened to have to abandon the Giro in this manner. I came here determined to perform well and I’m convinced I could have lived up to my own expectations and those of my team. My spirits are in tatters at the moment. This is the race I love more than any other race and to leave it under such circumstances is just awful.”

Basso also refused to let himself be hampered by this setback.

“The first thing I’m going to do is to have this problem thoroughly examined and then resume my training in order to be ready for the Tour and the Vuelta. As a rider I have overcome difficult situations earlier in my career. I’m confident that I shall also overcome this latest obstacle.”

Basso will return home today and tomorrow he will be subjected to further examinations to define the cause of the abscess and the best therapy. Only after these verifications will it be possible to define the time necessary for a recovery and a return to active competition.