Alessandro Ballan is preparing himself for a return to the professional peloton after a 2013 season that has been hampered by injury but he may now face an even longer lay-off. The Italian anti-doping agency has requested a two-year ban for the former world champion for his involvement in the Mantova affair.

The drawn-out Mantova affair is reaching its climax and it may have severe consequences for one of cycling's major stars. Based on the documents received from the public prosecutor in Mantova, the Italian anti-doping agency has requested a two-year ban for former world champion Alessandro Ballan.

The investigation is centered around Italian pharmacist Guido Nigrelli and has involved numerous Lampre cyclists and team leaders. Ballan is one of several riders to be named in the investigation but at the moment, he is the only one for which a suspension has been requested.

Like then teammate Mauro Santambrogio, Ballan has twice been put on inactive status by his BMC team when new information in the case have emerged and has missed some of his favourite races as a consequence. That first happened in 2010 when he missed the Pairs.Roubaix and one year later, he was removed from the BMC team for the Giro. Until now, no official action has, however, been taken and so Ballan has been allowed to return to action on both occasions.

In 2011, BMC reacted to leaked details from the investigation which were published in La Gazzetta dello Sport. The paper published a transcript of a conversation between Ballan and Nigrelli, claimed to have taken place on April 1, 2009, where they reportedly discussed growth hormone. More damning material was published but Ballan was allowed to return to competition around a month after being denied his spot on the Giro roster.

Since then, Ballan has been allowed to race, finishing 3rd in the Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix in 2012. He missed most of the 2013 season due to a horrific training crash but the investigation has always been looming in the background.

Ballan is amongst 15 Lampre riders who will go on trial for doping on December 10, with Damiano Cunego, Santambrogio, Simone Ponzi and Marzio Bruseghin also involved in the case. However, the sporting system has now taken action with the agency requesting that Ballan should be banned.

Furthermore, a life ban has been requested for Nigrelli which will apply to any positions within a number of sporting federations, as well as attending sports facilities and events in Italy.  A seven year ban has been requested for doctor Fiorenzo Aegan Bonazzi.

Neither Ballan nor his BMC team have responded to the request for a suspension.