BMC Racing has announced that it has lifted the suspension it imposed four weeks ago on Italian riders Alessandro Ballan and Mauro Santambrogio ahead of allegations being published in Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport that the pair were being investigated by Mantova-based prosecutors conducting an enquiry into doping.
The newspaper printed what it claimed were transcripts of recordings made by investigators in which the 31-year-old Ballan was reported to have spoken openly about the use of doping products.
As happened when similar allegations first surfaced last year, BMC immediately pulled the Italian pair from its active roster. Both had been due to ride in the Giro d’Italia and somewhat bizarrely, Ballan, who won the World Championship at Varese in 2009, has still never raced in his home tour.
In a statement published on the BMC website, Team President and General Manager Jim Ochowicz said: "To date, the BMC Racing Team has never been notified by any authorities regarding these alleged actions and conversations.
“We support all anti-doping policies and initiatives and, within the team, we are confident that since the two joined the BMC Racing Team in 2010 no doping issues have arisen."
In its statement, BMC added: “Also, no authority – UCI, WADA, CONI, etc. – has contacted the BMC Racing Team with any suspicious doping issues regarding either rider.
“Both riders continue to fully cooperate with all authorities. Should any appropriate authority contact us with any documented information, the BMC Racing Team will take all appropriate actions that are required.”
With the old route I hope they bigger it up too. Sadly they'll probably do that but with a vowel change.
Sean Kelly, assuming you mean him by the rattling pockets, /did/ fail tests in his career.
I think this incident has angered the police, such that this driver will face further sanction. We've created a monster here.
Took my thru axle bike abroad in one. It was a couple of years ago and I can't remember how I did it but you can attach the wheels with skewers...
for me its the lack of sanctions for traffic offences in the first place thats the problem, Mikey wouldnt have to do what he does at all, if people...
The UK has had a few black cycling champions. Not long after Maurice was gaining recognition on the track, Charlie Reynolds, also from South London...
Common sense at last
And tandems...
Car crashes into wall behind Natwest in Winchester https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/24216676.photos-car-crashes-wa...
One way to find out is to put a member of the driver's family on the bike and ask them to repeat the manoeuvre.