Ivan Basso will answer before the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) for his alleged involvement in "Puerto Operation" doping scandal. The CSC rider will be judged by CONI and, if considered guilty, he will most likely undergo serious bans from the Italian Cycling Association.

"Basso answered the questions in detail. I have called him to a further hearing on 12 September", admitted CONI's lawyer, Franco Cosenza.

It has been almost 3 months since the "Puerto Operation" caused a chaos in the world of cycling. Only weeks before the Tour de France got under way, some of the most important riders in the world were accused of having used banned substances provided by Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes of Spain.

Not only that, but the above named "doctor" arranged - through blood-transfusions techniques - that the riders will not fail any anti-doping test. Therefore, being linked with Fuentes' network, both Ivan Basso - winner of this year's Tour of Italy - and Jan Ullrich - 1997 winner of tour de France - were suspended by their teams.

Jan Ullrich might receive a life ban if found guilty. He was already sacked by T-Mobile soon after the Tour de France ended, and will be given the verdict somewhere next month. As for Basso, CSC boss Bjarne Riis already stated that: "Ivan will have to prove his innocence to us too, not only the international bodies".