Giro D'Italia champion Ivan Basso will be investigated by a magistrate in his home town after admitting this week he was guilty of attempted doping.

The magistrate in the northern Italian town of Busto Arsizio said a criminal investigation had been opened on Thursday under anti-doping laws.

Basso, who denies using illegal substances or blood transfusions, is already facing a possible two-year ban from the sport's authorities after saying he was connected to the Operation Puerto doping scandal in Spain.

The 29-year-old, who will not ride in this year's Giro starting on Saturday, also appeared in front of the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping body for a third time on Thursday as part of their investigation.

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