Alessandro Ballan, Lampre-Fondital's man for the classics, was awarded the Tuttobici trophy as best Italian cyclist of 2006. Known for his aggressive, attacking style, Ballan finished third in the controversial finish of this year's Paris-Roubaix, and was one of the few riders to challenge Tom Boonen in the classics.
Ballan began his season by winning the Trofeo Laigueglia, and went on to come second to Boonen at the E3-Prijs Vlaanderen. He was fifth at the Tour of Flanders, and eighth in Milan-San Remo, where he launched an explosive move on the Poggio, only to be marked by Boonen's teammate Pozzato. Ballan will ride once more for the Lampre-Fondital team in 2007.
