Ballan requests CONI hearing

Alessandro Ballan has requested to be heard by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) in relation to the doping controls last Monday night at the Team Lampre camp in San Vincenzo, Italy. The 28 year-old Italian – winner of the 2007 Ronde van Vlaanderen – wants to clarify his position and remove any questionable doubts that may exist. Ballan confirmed to Cyclingnews that he and his lawyer, Federico Cecconi, will be heard tomorrow by head CONI prosecutor Ettore Torri in Rome.

Riders and staff complained of the timing of the visit, which started at 23:00 and lasted until 3:30 Tuesday morning. Torri called for the night controls and sent four testers to the Italian ProTour team's camp, however, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, tests should be carried out between the hours of 7:00 and 22:00.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Association of Italian professional riders (ACCPI) has asked a CONI representative to speak during its meeting this coming Friday in San Vincenzo.