Ballan's form improves ahead of Tour

World Champion Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC)

World Champion Alessandro Ballan (Lampre-NGC) (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)

Alessandro Ballan has recovered from the virus that ruined his spring campaign and is finding the form that won him the road World Championships last year. The Italian finished 12th, two minutes and 24 seconds behind winner Fabian Cancellara in the Tour de Suisse time trial yesterday in Bern.