Simoni: Basso tried payoff

The 28-year-old Italian from the CSC team won the three-week Giro by more than nine minutes from Spain's Jose Gutierrez on Sunday, with Simoni third at 11:59.

But earlier in the day Simoni had accused Basso of asking him for money to let him (Simoni) win Saturday's 211-km 20th stage to Aprica.

"Five kilometres from the finish of the stage Basso asked me for money in exchange for him letting me win," said Simoni, Giro winner in 2001 and 2003.

"I've never asked for charity or for the stage win and when Basso asked for money it really hurt me. I've never done anything like that during my career."

When told of the accusation, Basso denied asking Simoni for money. "I don't know why Simoni said such nasty things," the Italian said.

"I won't allow anyone to ruin my victory at the Giro. I think I've shown I'm the best in the race and that I deserved the win in Aprica.

"To tell you the truth Simoni's accusations went in one ear and out of the other."

Basso won Saturday's tough mountain stage after he and Simoni had broken away from the rest of the pack, Basso going clear in the last four kilometres to beat his rival by 77 seconds.

After the finish of the Giro in Milan on Sunday, Italian television tried to persuade the two compatriots to shake hands but Simoni refused.

"Basso deserves his Giro win but he doesn't exist for me any more," said Simoni.

The Italian Cycling Federation is to open a formal investigation into the accusation.