Former world champion Alessandro Ballan and 2004 Giro d'Italia winner Damiano Cunego are among 27 people who have been indicted on doping charges in Italy, Sky Sports reports.

The indictment follows a protracted enquiry surrounding pharmacist Guido Nigrelli and involves past and present members of the Lampre-Merida team.

Out of favour former Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen, Italian rider Mauro Santambrogio and former professional Marzio Bruseghin are also among those indicted.

Santambrogio (Vini Fantini) is already presently suspended after testing positive for EPO in this year's Giro d'Italia in May.

Ballan (BMC), who won the world road race title in 2008, recently returned to racing after suffering serious injuries in a training crash during the off-season, while Cunego (Lampre-Merida) is in action at the Tour de France.

A hearing date has been scheduled for December 10.