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Disgraced Italian rider Ivan Basso won his first race since returning from a two-year doping suspension, winning the Tour of Trentino.

The 31-year-old's compatriot Danilo Di Luca won the fourth and final stage, a 214.2 kilometres ride, with Basso finishing fifth.

It was the first victory for Basso since he won the 2006 Giro d'Italia.

Basso, who rides for Liquigas, was suspended for two years in 2007 over suspicions that he was involved in the Operation Puerto drugs scandal in Spain.

His win in the Tour of Trentino couldn't come at a better time in terms of his preparation for the 2009 Giro, which is celebrating its centenary this year and begins on May 9 in Venice.

Basso was delighted to have broken his duck and also took note that he was running into form at just the right time.

"Winning once again, after such a long time, is really very pleasant," he said.

"I have done a lot better here that I had thought I would. We have worked really hard these past three weeks, by simulating with the team the 20 days of the Giro. And today has seen the result of that."

Basso went on to reveal how hard his time away from the circuit had been for himself and his family and admitted that the image of him as a dope cheat would never be forgotten.

"I have been through three difficult years. And I dedicate this success to my family for all the things they have had to suffer and also to the team who have placed their confidence in me.

"However, these bad experiences have only served to strengthen my resolve.

"This thing (his involvement in the Puerto scandal) should never have happened.

"It will remain an indelible stain on my career, and on my reputation, but I believe that people who are winners, who have character and charisma, succeed in turning over a leaf.

"I have restarted from zero, with my feet firmly on the ground. I knew well that I could not return at the same level which I was at when I stopped.

"I have returned a humble man and worked in silence. Now I am thinking of the Giro: it will be my first major stage race for three years and I know that it could be difficult, but the team is motivated and competitive to put on a good show."

STAGE THREE

Barloworld's South African Robert Hunter won stage three of the Giro del Trentino after a sprint finish ended the 165.5 kilometres ride between the Italian town of Tesero and the Austrian ski resort of Innervillgraten.

The peloton stayed together despite being stretched on the many climbs and descents of the course, allowing Hunter to pip Italian duo of Stefano Garzelli (Acqua and Sapone) and Daniele di Luca (Team LPR).

There was no change in the general standings with Astana's Slovenian leader Janez Brajkovic leading from Liquigas Italian Ivan Basso and stage two winning Pole Przemyslaw Niemec (Miche-Selle).

STAGE TWO

A solo move by Poland"s Przemyslaw Niemec gaves him a stage two win in the 33rd Giro del Trentino, between Riva Del Garda and Alpe di Pampeago in Italy.

The Miche-Selle rider sealed his first stage win of the season when, with one kilometre of 137km remaining, he launched a breakaway attack to finish in three hours, 50 minutes and 44 seconds, 22 seconds ahead of in-form Liquigas star Ivan Basso.

Italian Basso finished 17 seconds ahead of compatriot Giampaolo Caruso, riding for Flaminia-Bossini.

Astana's Slovenian rider Janez Brajkovic leads the general standings with an overall time of 04:10:07, four seconds ahead of Basso, who is 15 seconds clear of Niemec.

Stage three takes place over 165.5km between Tesero and the Austrian city of Innervillgraten.

STAGE ONE

German Andreas Kloden won the opening stage of the Giro del Trentino, a 16.3km time trial from Torbole sul Garda to Arco.

Astana-rider Kloden came home in a time of 18min 21sec to edge out Slovenian team-mate Janez Brajkovic by just one second with Ukrainian Andriy Grivko posting the third fastest time seven seconds back.

Of the Italian favourties for the overall title, Ivan Basso came 19th with a 50sec deficit while Stefano Garzelli was eighth at 27sec.

Former Giro d'Italia winners Giuseppe Simoni and Danilo Di Luca finished 1min 08sec and 1:14 behind.

Thursday's second stage is a 141km run from Rival del Garda to Alpe di Pampeago.

AFP / Eurosport