Ballan clarifies position to CONI

By Gregor Brown

Alessandro Ballan of Lampre travelled to Rome to meet with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) anti-doping prosecutor, Ettore Torri, to clarify his position regarding last week's visit of anti-doping inspectors to the team's camp. "It went well," said the 28 year-old Italian – winner of the 2007 Ronde van Vlaanderen – after the meeting.

He requested the visit to clarify his position after inspectors visited Team Lampre's training camp last Monday evening, starting at 23:00, and lasting until 3:30, Tuesday morning, January 29.

"I clarified myself with the head prosecutor, Ettore Torri and I am calm," explained Ballan to Agr. He was accompanied by Lampre staff, Doctor Carlo Guardascione and Directeur Sportif Maurizio Piovani.

"I clarified the misunderstanding that existed over sending in the accountability form. I thought that the ones sent to the UCI [International Cycling Union - ed.] were sufficient. Anyway, it is now all okay."

To further clarify the late-night controls, the Association of Italian professional riders (ACCPI) has asked a CONI representative to speak during its meeting this Friday in San Vincenzo (Toscana).