Ballan in France for Paris-Roubaix

World Champion Alessandro Ballan will travel to France this week to be with his Lampre-NGC teammates as they prepare for Sunday's Paris-Roubaix. Ballan, third in the 2008 edition, had to sit out the Northern Classics due to a cytomegalovirus.

"I dreamt of winning Paris-Roubaix in the rainbow jersey, but unfortunately I had to give up his ambition," said Ballan.

The team will base itself near the race start in Compiègne (north of Paris). Ballan will arrive Friday evening and will join the team in the race's presentation on Saturday.

"It will be nice to be in the same race atmosphere with the team and be near my teammates. They were prepared to support me and now I want to give to them my experiences."

Ballan will join Italy's Rai television as a guest commentator on Sunday. He expects to be back racing in time for the Giro d'Italia, May 9 to 31.