Basso out of Tour de France due to Testicular Cancer

Ivan Basso is quitting the Tour de France after revealing on Monday that he has testicular cancer.

The former Giro d'Italia winner was due to be a key support rider for one of the favorites Alberto Contador in the mountain stages beginning on Tuesday.

But instead the 37-year-old said he is heading back to his homeland Italy for treatment.

"Unfortunately I have a bad announcement to give to you guys," Basso said at the Tinkoff-Saxo team's hotel in Pau on Monday's Tour rest day.

"In stage number five I had a really small crash and on the crash I touched my testicle on the saddle.

"For a few days I felt a small pain. Yesterday (Sunday) our doctor spoke with the doctor of the Tour and we decided to go to make a special analysis to the hospital.

"The examination gave me bad news: I have a small cancer in the left testicle.

"So it's easy to understand that I have to stop and go back to Italy. Our doctor is already in contact with the specialist in Italy to fix the operation as soon as possible.

"I can't say to you more details because we discovered this two hours ago, so that's all.

"I have to leave but I want to give my support to our captain (Contador) to be in yellow in Paris and want to say thanks to my team for their support in this situation and the whole Tour organization and medical staff."