BMC Racing suspends two riders in doping probe
The Swiss-sponsored cycling team BMC Racing have temporarily suspended two new Italian riders they discovered were under investigation by Italian authorities.
The team said in a statement that the investigation was looking into incidents that took place more than two years ago when Alessandro Ballan and Mauro Santambrogio were members of the Lampre team.
An Italian judge on Wednesday announced that 35 people, including the two, were being investigated in connection with doping.
The statement added that the team and its members were not aware of the probe until a few days ago and hoped to receive more information.
“However, we have already made the decision to withhold the two from competition, in accordance with the BMC Racing’s own policy and the International Cycling Union’s code of conduct.”
The team said the suspension should not be seen as a “pre-determination of guilt” and both riders would have to personally answer accusations against them.
Ballan was world champion in 2008 and was considered an outsider to win Sunday’s classic Paris to Roubaix race. He finished third in the event in 2006 and in 2008.
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