The rules of the Movement for Credible Cycling could be the deciding factor on whether Alessandro Ballan joins UnitedHeathcare once his doping suspension ends.
The Italian rider was given a two-year ban – later reduced by five months – for the use of ozone therapy but his sanction ends on August 17, clearing the way for a possible return.
One team to have confirmed initial talks with the former Tour of Flanders winner is UnitedHeathcare, a US-based ProContinental team with a semi-European flavor. Despite brief negotiations between the rider and the team’s management, one major sticking point to the potential signing is the fact that the team is registered with the MPCC, whose rules dictate – although they’ve been open to interpretation before – that a registered team cannot sign a banned rider until two years after his ban has expired.
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That could leave UnitedHealthcare with the tricky decision over whether to argue a case with the MPCC, leave the organization and sign Ballan, or walk away from the rider discussions altogether.
“The situation with Alessandro is more of a show for the media and the journalist. In all honesty we talked with him a long time ago but there’s the problem with the MPCC, which we’re members of. We’d like to respect the rules so there’s only been talks with him,” UnitedHeathcare director sportif Roberto Damiani told Cyclingnews.
“I like the possibility of Alessandro finishing his career with his head held high. He needs that but there’s only been some talks. He is interested in joining our team but I think he’s also talked to some WorldTour teams but you know what it’s like, if I talk to one rider then all of sudden he’s talking to the team.”
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