Ivan Basso handed new role at Tinkoff-Saxo

Following his recent retirement from professional cycling, Ivan Basso is taking a step into the management side of the sport by becoming the technical coordinator at Tinkoff-Saxo.

The 37-year-old, who won two Giro d'Italia titles in his career, hung up his wheels after overcoming testicular cancer, which was diagnosed during the Tour de France.

After 17 seasons in the peloton, Basso will use his knowledge and experience to develop and optimise the collaboration between the riders and the technical functions of the team, according to the team.

What that actually entails is a bit vague, but the Italian's continued presence with the team will undoubtedly benefit Tinkoff-Saxo and its riders in the years to come.

“I’m extremely happy and I thank the team owner Oleg Tinkov, the management of the team and the sports directors for their warm welcome in relations to this new role I will have within the team," Basso said.

"It’s a very important opportunity for me to start a new path in my career. I will be the link and coordinator between the riders and the group of sports directors.

"I will ride with them, I will test the new material, the race courses and I will do whatever is necessary to help the team."

Basso and the Tinkoff staff will oversee world champion Peter Sagan in his quest for a fifth consecutive Tour de France green jersey and Classics victories in 2016, as well as Alberto Contador's attempts to win the Tour and Vuelta a España.