Basso to lead Liquigas in Tour of Britain

Ivan Basso will lead the Liquigas-Cannondale team in its first outing at the Tour of Britain this September.

The Italian double Giro d'Italia winner has been confirmed as taking part in this year's British stage race for the first time.

"We are delighted to have the Liquigas-Cannondale team participate in the Tour of Britain for the first time," said race director Mick Bennett.

"The inclusion of such a high-profile team led by two-time winner of Giro d'Italia, Ivan Basso, underlines the growing status of the Tour of Britain and its importance to pro cycling teams."

Basso is currently competing in the Tour de France where he is assisting Liquigas-Cannondale overall hope Vincenzo Nibali.

The 2012 Tour of Britain starts in Ipswich on Sunday, September 9, and concludes in Guildford on Sunday, September 16. In between, the race visits Wales and Scotland. The total distance is the longest that it has been since the Tour of Britain returned to the calendar - 1,349.9 kilometres.

Tour of Britain 2012: Stages

Stage one, Sunday September 9

Ipswich-Norfolk Showground, Norwich, 199.6km

Stage two, Monday September 10

Nottingham-Knowsley Safari Park, 178km

Stage three, Tuesday September 11

Jedburgh-Dumfries, 161.4km

Stage four, Wednesday September 12

Carlisle-Blackpool, 156km

Stage five, Thursday September 13

Stoke-on-Trent, 146.9km

Stage six, Friday September 14

Welshpool-Caerphilly, 189.8km

Stage seven, Saturday September 15

Barnstaple-Dartmouth, 170.7km

Stage eight, Sunday September 16

Reigate-Guildford, 147.7km

Related links

Tour of Britain 2012: Route revealed