Ivan Basso (Team Liquigas) won the Giro d'Italia for the second time Sunday, capturing his first major title since returning from a two-year doping ban.

The Italian took the race lead after Friday's epic mountain stage, stayed in front during another climbing leg Saturday and cruised to victory in the concluding individual time trial, which ended beside Verona's ancient Arena.

Basso won his first Giro in 2006, then was suspended in 2007 for his involvement in the Spanish doping scandal Operation Puerto.

Inside the Arena, Basso celebrated on the podium with his two small children.

"We all suffered together and now we can celebrate together," Basso said, adding that his wife Micaela is expecting a third child.

Spaniard David Arroyo Duran (Team Caisse d'Epargne) finished second overall -- 1 minute, 51 seconds behind -- and Basso's Liquigas teammate Vincenzo Nibali was third, 2:37 back.

Team BMC Racing's World road cycling champion Cadel Evans placed fourth in today's final Tour of Italy time trial. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Basso also won the 15th stage, which finished with the steepest climb of the race, to Monte Zoncolan.

"It was a really tough Giro and I think the victory is that much greater [than the first] because it was such a spectacular race," Basso said. "I have to thank my team. They were really fantastic for me."

Basso will now focus on becoming the first rider to win the Giro and Tour de France in the same year since Marco Pantani in 1998.

"I'm definitely not going to the Tour just to participate -- I want to compete with the best riders," Basso said. "[Alberto] Contador is in great form, but I think I've improved a lot and the Tour is a big goal of mine. I really believe I can do well."

Basso finished second in the Tour in 2005 and was third the year before.

Gustav Erik Larsson (Team Saxo Bank) won the final 15 kilometer stage in 00:20:19. Marco Pinotti (Team HTC-Columbia) finished second, 2 seconds behind, and Team Astana's Alexandre Vinokourov was third, 17 seconds back.

Gustav Erik Larsson (Team Saxo Bank) won the final 15 kilometer stage in 00:20:19. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Basso's Liquigas teammates gave him a big hand during Friday's descent from the renowned Mortirolo pass and the ensuing climb to Aprica, gaining enough time to take the overall leader's pink jersey from Arroyo Duran, the Spaniard who led for five stages.

Nibali, a late replacement for the suspended Franco Pellizotti, who failed the UCI's biological passport program, was Basso's biggest helper. Nibali entered the final stage with a 1-second lead over Michele Scarponi in the overall standings and gained another 12 seconds in the time trial to secure third place.

Michele Scarponi finished fourth overall, 02:50 back.

BMC Racing Team's World road cycling champion Cadel Evans finished fifth overall 03:27 back, capping a Giro that saw him win one stage, the points jersey and the Trofeo Bonacossa (the Giro's top rider as voted by journalists).

Ivan Basso is celebrated by his Liquigas team in the podium in Verona. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Evans placed fourth in today's final time trial. It was Evans' first Giro participation since placing 14th overall in 2002 Giro.

"I didn't do as good a time trial as I had hoped to today but that's the way it goes," Evans told Roadcycling.com after the final Giro time trial and added "Overall, we came here with the legs and also the ability to win it. So when you're aiming to win a Grand Tour to come away with fifth is a little bit disappointing, but overall, with my own health issues and having a bit of a reduced team, it was satisfying. But you always want to do more." The team here at Roadcycling.com is looking forward to following Cadel Evans' performance in the 2010 Tour de France this July.

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