Cunego, Ballan among 27 facing doping charges

MANTOVA, Italy (AP) — Former world champion Alessandro Ballan and 2004 Giro d’Italia winner Damiano Cunego are among 27 people that were indicted on doping charges Friday.

The preliminary judge in Mantova has set a hearing date for Dec. 10 after prosecutor Antonino Condorelli’s report following a lengthy investigation.

The case, involving past and present members of the Lampre team, centers around pharmacist Guido Nigrelli.

Disgraced former Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen, Mauro Santambrogio and Marzio Bruseghin are also among those indicted.

In a statement, Lampre says it has “utmost faith in the team members involved” and that “their complete innocence of all charges will be proved.”

The story first broke two years ago, following a three-year investigation by Condorelli.