Cyclist Basso says 'on road to recovery'

(ANSA) - Rome, July 24 - Italian cyclist Ivan Basso said on Friday he was on the road to recovery after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.
    "I had my stitches taken out today, my recovery is proceeding well. I'm happy. It's a first step towards full recovery," he told Italian state broadcaster Rai.
    Basso had his left testicle removed after discovering the presence of a tumour during medical checks following a crash during stage 5 of the Tour de France bicycle race.
    "Without that fall, I might not have felt the discomfort and I would have delayed checks," he said.
    He said he was heading to Paris at the weekend, where the Tour de France is due to end on Sunday.
    "My life has gone back to normal, even if that is different from resuming my athletic activities or even just pedalling. We have to wait a few weeks still and then I can get back on the saddle," he said.