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Alessandro Ballan

Ballan flies World Champion stripes on stage 19

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By Gregor Brown published 24 July 2009

Promising escape foiled by sprinters

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Alessandro Ballan rolls in after an unsuccessful breakaway attempt. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Alessandro Ballan put the rainbow colours of the world champion's jersey on show with an daring escape in the finale of Tour de France's stage to Aubenas Friday. While the sprinters' teams stopped him from winning the stage, he proved his form is improving after a virus prevented him racing in the spring.

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Gregor Brown

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