Simoni retracts accusation

"I never tried to offend Basso," said Simoni, "I didn't want to damage him. I said some wrong things but I didn't want to cause him any damage. These things are part of the dynamics of racing."

Simoni - a former Giro winner - had claimed Basso told him a stage victory could be ensured in exchange for money as the duo raced side-by-side just five kilometres from the end of the 211km stage to Aprica.

"Simoni retracted: there was no talk of deals and much less of money. We made clear that Simoni is a racer, not a public relations expert nor a lawyer. It was a matter of a lack of racing sportsmanship," said Simoni's lawyer Giuseppe Napoleone speaking on his behalf.

"It was all down to interpretation: to go downhill together and then fight for the victory with a sprint was for Simoni something obvious."

Basso had denied any of accusations, saying that the only thing he had asked Simoni was if he wanted to ride together down the final mountain.

"Gilberto has confirmed the non-existence of money deals," said Napoleone. "Besides, when he was interviewed immediately after the stage, he said he was disappointed but didn't mention money."

Basso was sent to appear before the same Italian Cycling Federation on Tuesday.