32 may be indicted in Mantua Investigation

[sniper]

Fixed that for you

fix of the day

 

[auscyclefan94]

I am dissapointed that BMC aren't pulling him from Paris Roubaix if the reports are true that he is facing allegations of blood doping. Though it does seem odd that Ballan hasn't been given formal notification of this and the press la gazetta dello sport formally knows about it. It's a hard one though, nothing official has really happened to ballan. Why has he been named and nobody else as I'd imagine if Ballan was in on it then they would at least have a few more names linked to this scandal which they would announce as well.

 

[veganrob]

I am dissapointed that BMC aren't pulling him from Paris Roubaix if the reports are true that he is facing allegations of blood doping. Though it does seem odd that Ballan hasn't been given formal notification of this and the press la gazetta dello sport formally knows about it. It's a hard one though, nothing official has really happened to ballan. Why has he been named and nobody else as I'd imagine if Ballan was in on it then they would at least have a few more names linked to this scandal which they would announce as well.

i'm OK with BMC letting him go in P-R. It is only allegations at this point, though the investigation has been going on for some time. Shame on BMC if they knew more however. If they are guilty, they will certainly get theirs.

 

[Neworld]

I am dissapointed that BMC aren't pulling him from Paris Roubaix if the reports are true that he is facing allegations of blood doping....

lucky for him he's not lining up for the start of the 2006 TdF....how many riders were prevented from riding with similar allegations?

NW

 

[hrotha]

“That is how we discovered that Alessandro Ballan would have undergone an auto-blood transfusion in a surgery in Montichiari, where a doctor, Fiorenzo Egeo Bonazzi, is also under investigation.”

Does anyone have the original version of this quote? I find this use of "surgery" kind of odd, even if correct according to my dictionary.

 

[davestoller]

a surgery is a clinic

fyi

Every year, right before Paris ROubaix they come out with a story about Ballan to try to knock him out of important races. Really?

I think BMC should let him race.
This is a police matter, not a UCI WADA deal.

 

[Race Radio]

I think BMC should let him race.
This is a police matter, not a UCI WADA deal.

Really? Blood transfusions are not a UCI/WADA deal?

 

[hrotha]

a surgery is a clinic

fyi

Yes, but that doesn't seem to be its most common meaning, and this being a translation published in CN I can't rule out a botched translation.

 

[Susan Westemeyer]

Yes, but that doesn't seem to be its most common meaning, and this being a translation published in CN I can't rule out a botched translation.

It was translated by an Italian-speaking Irishman. "Surgery" in that sense is a common UK term, I understand, what we in the US would call a doctor's office.

Susan

 

[luckyboy]

Really? Blood transfusions are not a UCI/WADA deal?

The police seem to be more effective at catching dopers

 

[Hugh Januss]

a surgery is a clinic

fyi

Every year, right before Paris ROubaix they come out with a story about Ballan to try to knock him out of important races. Really?

I think BMC should let him race.
This is a police matter, not a UCI WADA deal.

Only it is the same story that he was held out because of last year. Only now it is about to get real serious with charges and probably trials and stuff like that. Och is just hoping he can get something out of him before he goes away.

 

[davestoller]

Really? Blood transfusions are not a UCI/WADA deal?

Did you read the story?

The POLICE are anticipated to level criminal charges, not the UCI/WADA with a doping offense under a sports charter.

Thats what I meant when I wrote this is a police matter.
As such, although I am not sure--although BMC seems to be--thee are any provisions under UCI/WADA for suspending riders from teams who may be persons of interest or under investigation or likely to be named or charged etc etct here are so many variations from the legal system, not allowing them to race etc etc.

If there were, UCI would have stepped in and forbad him to race.
Right?

 

[El Oso]

I am dissapointed that BMC aren't pulling him from Paris Roubaix

+1

Och's response was really classy:

I know what’s been in the newspaper but I can’t read Italian anyway so I’ve got to wait for a translation anyway and blah blah blah.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ochowicz-adamant-that-ballan-will-start-paris-roubaix

 

[Dewulf]

I am dissapointed that BMC aren't pulling him from Paris Roubaix if the reports are true that he is facing allegations of blood doping. Though it does seem odd that Ballan hasn't been given formal notification of this and the press la gazetta dello sport formally knows about it. It's a hard one though, nothing official has really happened to ballan. Why has he been named and nobody else as I'd imagine if Ballan was in on it then they would at least have a few more names linked to this scandal which they would announce as well.

I have no problem with him racing, in fact, given he was pulled last year, I think he should race (on the proviso that whatever results he gains be anulled should he later be found guilty).

What I do have a problem with, is the timing of these investigations and their announcements. It's taken the cops, what, 2 years to figure out they want to charge him/them?! And they choose to do it right before one of the biggest races of the year? Have they been hanging out with Floyd or something?!?!

If they can't get their sh^t together in time to do it before the start of the season (WHICHEVER season), then they should wait until there's a break in the year's racing, like, about 2 days from now.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Why has the prosecutor only mentioned Ballan? Seems unfair to single him out.

 

[Ferminal]

Will be hoping for a win by Ballan today now!

 

[Mellow Velo]

Why has the prosecutor only mentioned Ballan? Seems unfair to single him out.

One would assume that the timeline of the investigation has produced links to his 2009 illness and transfusion.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/3/18/802467/alessandro-ballan-forfeits

If they can corroborate dates and places, maybe they have the odd witness?

 

[roundabout]

Cunego is tranquil while CONI might get involved

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-doping-mantova

 

[The Hitch]

Will be hoping for a win by Ballan today now!

Im reading this late but may i ask why?

 

[Race Radio]

Did you read the story?

The POLICE are anticipated to level criminal charges, not the UCI/WADA with a doping offense under a sports charter.

Thats what I meant when I wrote this is a police matter.
As such, although I am not sure--although BMC seems to be--thee are any provisions under UCI/WADA for suspending riders from teams who may be persons of interest or under investigation or likely to be named or charged etc etct here are so many variations from the legal system, not allowing them to race etc etc.

If there were, UCI would have stepped in and forbad him to race.
Right?

Yes, I read the story.

CONI has a unique position. They, like the AFLD, are part of the criminal justice system in Italy. They is why they had success with Valverde where others failed. If indeed there is a criminal case against Ballan the likelihood that there would not be a sporting sanction as well is zero

 

[Ferminal]

Im reading this late but may i ask why?

Just because it would make another mockery of the system, and those who believe in it.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Just because it would make another mockery of the system, and those who believe in it.

Maybe Hitch was looking past the sarcasm!

 

[WildspokeJoe]

Nothing will come from this.

 

[ElChingon]

Nothing will come from this.

Well lots has already come of it. It has gained headlines for CONI and Italian racing/racers, no matter how bad it may look they are in the news eating up headline space and water cooler talk.

The Giro is right around the corner and what better way of getting people excited about it than the annual doping story?

 

[auscyclefan94]

I just found these comments by Dan Benson a little odd.

Twelve months on and this time BMC refused to budge, allowing the Italian to race despite mounting pressure and accusations from Italy. The investigation will move along within the next few weeks, and while it must be stressed that Ballan is innocent until proven otherwise and free to race, BMC’s move was a low moment for the UCI’s importance on ethical standings.

1. Last year Ballan was officially under investigation. Nothing came of that investigation for over a month so BMC had no reason to suspend them.
2. Ballan is yet to have official charges laid on him. So how have BMC broken 'UCI's ethical standings"?