Tag: Alessandro Ballan

Categories
News

Boonen Takes Flanders

Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s Tom Boonen yesterday took his third win at the Ronde van Vlaanderen (popularly known as the Tour of Flanders). Following on from victories in both 2005 and 2006 and capitalising on an excellent year so far, the Belgium held off Filippo Pozzato (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia) and BMC’s Alessandro Ballan, by a bike-length to win the sprint finish.

 

Meanwhile in the women’s edition of the cobbled classic Lizzie Armistead’s pre-race optimism quickly evaporated after an ill-advised and ultimately disastrous attempt to attack resulted in a finishing place of 34, something the GB star was quick to admit was down to he inexperience on the course. Some consolation for Armistead in that she beat rival Brit Emma Pooley, all be it by a single spot. The women’s edition was won by Germany’s Judith Arndt.

 

Categories
News

BMC: Two Men Down for Giro

Both former World Champion Alessandro Ballan and his team mate Mauro Santambrogio have been suspended by BMC over on-going investigations into doping allegations stretching back to Ballan’s days with former team Lampre (with whom he turned professional back in2004). Ballan was initially suspended last year before being cleared by an internal team investigation, but in an official statement BMC now say that further details have come to light which will see both riders excluded from the 94th Giro d’Italia which begins with Time Trials on May 7. Both riders refute allegations of wrongdoing and are said to be cooperating fully with the investigation.

 

The BMC statement says: “BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said new information received, along with consideration of the team’s anti-doping policy and the UCI’s Code of Conduct, means the two will be held out of competition pending further details. Both riders have been cooperating fully with the investigation, and, as we did last year, we will respect their presumption of innocence and we expect them to continue their full support to the authorities. Ochowicz said the team will monitor the investigation and both riders will have to personally address any accusations on their own.”