Former world champ Ballan cleared to race by US team after doping probe finds no wrongdoing

Italy’s Ballan cleared to race after doping probe

GENEVA — Former world cycling champion Alessandro Ballan has been cleared to race after a doping investigation by his team.

BMC Racing said Friday it found no indication the 30-year-old Italian was involved in doping with his former team Lampre.

The Swiss-backed American team withdrew Ballan from competition last month after Lampre riders were connected to a police investigation in Mantova, Italy.

Team president Jim Ochowicz said he would “respect the presumption of innocence” and allow Ballan to race.

Ballan won the road race world title in 2008 and Tour of Flanders one-day classic in 2007. This is his first season at BMC, alongside current world champion Cadel Evans and American veteran George Hincapie.