As an announcement on the case was reported on Cyclingquotes earlier this month, BMC rider Alessandro Ballan has been called to appear before the Italian Olympic Committee’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal on January 16, where he will respond to charges connected with an investigation into alleged doping, concerning the period of his career dedicated to Lampre – Merida team.
Alessandro Ballan was looking forward to returning to competition at the highest level following his horrific training crash in December 2012 which forced him to miss most of the 2013 season. However, those ambitions may have to be put on hold after the announcement that the Italian anti-doping authorities have requested a two-year ban for his involvement in the Mantova investigation.
CONI’s anti-doping prosecutor has recommended a two-year suspension for the former world champion, citing article 2.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency code, which forbids the "Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method."
Having won the world championships in late 2008, Ballan had a terrible 2009 season. He was diagnosed with Cytomegalovirus and missed his beloved spring classics and the Giro d'Italia as a consequence. He rode himself into form in the Tour de France and won the Tour de Pologne in August.
Ozone therapy includes taking out blood, treating it with ozone and the re-injecting it. However, any form of blood transfusion is prohibited by the WADA code.
“I had the Cytomegalovirus; I’d been in hospital and was suspended by the team. I had the rainbow jersey, wanted to ride the Giro d’Italia and they told me that the treatment would have helped me recover more quickly. I did an infinite number of controls and my biological passport speaks clearly. Do you think it’s right that I’ve been massacred because of this?” Ballan told Gazzetta.
The affair is centred around pharmacist Guido Nigrelli and doctor Fiorenzo Egeo Bonazzi, and involves several former Lampre riders, sports directors and managers. Ballan is one of 27 persons, alongside Damiano Cunego, Mauro Santambrogio and Marzio Bruseghin, as well as Lampre manager Giuseppe Saronni and directeurs sportifs Maurizio Piovani and Fabrizio Bontempi, that will be called to CONI hearings in Rome on January 16. Nigelli and Bonazzi stand accused of trafficking or attempted trafficking and administration or attempted administration of prohibited substance or methods, for which the CONI prosecutor has recommended life bans.
The former World Champion missed most of 2013 season because of the injuries sustained during a training ride. Although Ballan remains with a doping allegations in a background for four consecutive seasons as a result of a Mantova case’s slow development, BMC team is still supporting an Italian rider.
“At this time, no decision to remove him from active status has been made,” BMC stated after latest announcements.
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