July 24, 2007 – Alessandro Petacchi was cleared of the suspicion of doping by the disciplinary commission of the Italian Cycling Federation. Consequently, the 32 year-old is allowed to start at races again with immediate effect. “I am very relieved about this result,” Team Milram commercial manager Gerry van Gerwen says. “What remains is a damage to his image and to that of the team. Furthermore, we missed the chance for possible successes at the Tour de France. But I am glad that this nightmare is over for him.”

“It’s one of the most beautiful wins in my life,” Petacchi said happily. “I don’t wish anybody to suffer like I did, it was the worst experience of my life.”

The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) had called for a doping ban of one year against Petacchi. The Italian had been tested ‘non negative’ in May during the Giro d’Italia and therefore was interrogated by CONI’s head of inquiry, Ettore Torri.