Highlights of the Ivan Basso news, some of which comes after he gave a press conference in Italy today:

• Basso’s lawyer says the cyclist won’t be naming names as part of his cooperation with officials. His lawyer says it’s not because he’s keeping secrets, but rather “He never saw or heard of other riders [being involved].”
• The UCI’s Pat McQuaid is a little more subdued in his response than I thought he would be (but we haven’t heard from Dick Pound yet, who just might be doing a victory dance around a bonfire somewhere). McQuaid expressed sadness about Basso’s admission, but says he’ll “try to see this news in a more positive context. Our increased efforts, with our other cycling partners, to put riders under pressure appear to be paying off. Today it is not easy to circumvent the rules.” He also said, “I will make a point of saying that Basso, like all the other riders, will not be given up by our world. That does not mean to say that the rules should not be complied with. They will have to pay the consequences of their actions.” Presumably this, along with other comments by officials who have pledged to stand by Basso, is a result of what some still see as the abandonment of Marco Pantani which eventually led to his untimely death.
• Basso confirmed today that, “I am Birillo” and that he was the one who suggested the nickname.
• The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) seems to be hinting that they’ll go easier on Basso if he confesses everything, but McQuaid has said he won’t discuss reduced sentences.
• Basso also says he was clean for the Giro last year, that he was just going to be using the illegal practice for the Tour.
• In today’s press conference Basso said, “It was only attempted doping.” Is it just me, or is that the cycling equivalent of “I didn’t inhale”? Anyway, he claims he was clean for all his victories, that he “never used doping products or resorted to blood transfusions” in his career. He said, “I will serve my suspension and then return to race. I know that returning will make me feel better; I think that the group will accept me. I am fully aware that an attempt at doping is tantamount to doping, but I am asking to be excused for this and that should be enough.” He reiterated that he has not been asked about other riders involved, and he doesn’t know about other riders involved.

For a gallery of photos from the press conference, go here.