Steve discovers his form in Giro

May 23 2007 by Mark Johnson, Birkenhead News

STEVE Cummings is currently riding high for Lance Armstrong’s Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team in the world’s second most gruelling race, the Giro d’Italia.

The Wirral cyclist, who has won gold medals as part of Great Britain’s all-conquering track team, attracted the attention of the outfit’s director Johan Bruyneel following the dramatic exit of Ivan Basso.

Winner of the 2006 Giro d’Italia, Basso has denied ever taking performance-enhancing drugs or using blood transfusions but has admitted that he had intended to dope and was involved in the Operation Puerto scandal in Spain.

Basso resigned from his Discovery Channel team after the Italian Olympic Committee re-opened its probe into a Spanish doping scandal back in April.

But the Italian's fall from grace has given Cummings a chance to prove himself on the big stage. He is now currently competing in the Giro – regarded by many as the most important race on the calendar next to the Tour de France – alongside his new team-mates, Yaroslav Popovych and George Hincapie.

Cummings is in good company, as both stars are former team-mates of seven-time winner of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong.

Steve said: “I was a bit of an unknown when I came here, but I’ve concentrated on racing well – being consistent, just doing whatever they asked in the races.

“It’s gone well. I’ve just kept it simple and when they asked me to do something, I’ve done it to the best of my ability and raced hard.”

Regarded as an honest rider, the 26-year-old can be relied upon to give his all whatever the circumstances and is equally honest with his opinions on Basso.

Steve added: “I was disappointed that Basso was out (of the team) and then disappointed he was involved with that.

“Of course you’d want him in the team, but I’m glad he’s gone if he’s involved with something like that.”

The Wirral cyclist has enjoyed success in the velodrome and has raced on the road with mid-sized Belgian team Landbouwkredit. But riding in a Grand Tour for one of the sport's big names is a massive step-up – something the Heswall resident takes within his stride.

Beyond this year, Cummings’ future is uncertain. Discovery’s sponsorship contract expires at the end of the season and a replacement is being sought by Armstrong.

Distractions aside, Cummings has his eyes also fixed on next year’s Olympics. He hopes to improve on the silver medal he won in the team pursuit at the Athens Games.

But a gold medal is a realistic target for him, as he was part of the British quartet that won the world title in 2005.

Cummings said: “I want to stay with this team but that’s up in the air. I want to go and do the Olympics. That’s always been a priority for me, especially now we’ve seen the team taking a step forward.”