speculation in the italian press suggested that should basso not be banned he would be joining the discovery channel team. team csc described these suggestions as just rumours. later, csc manager bjarne riis was reported stating that it was unlikely that basso could return to csc without proving he had no contact with dr. fuentes, as basso's contract specified that he could receive no outside medical assistance. riis conceded that it might be impossible for basso to prove beyond doubt. rumours also talked about basso moving to team milram or barloworld (a non-protour team). the italian national olympic committee (coni) proceedings commenced in late august 2006.