The Mantova case which has been ongoing for years, ended with almost nothing. Although a large number of (former) riders and (former) team leaders faced possible prison sentences and fines, only a pharmacist and an amateur rider were not acquitted-

According to Fabrizio Bontempi, the only defendant was present in the court last Friday, it is evidence that prosecutor's case was completely wrong. "We have been living a nightmare for seven years," the Lampre-Merida manager told Italian media. "For me, it meant exclusion from the world of cycling. But for many defendants who were completely innocent, this has started an early end to their careers. With a better analysis of the documents, this could all have been prevented.”

Corriere della Sera talks of an embarrassing misjudgment by prosecutor Antonio Condorelli. "This should have been the doping case of the decade but it ended as a clear rejection of the prosecutor,” the Italian newspaper wrote.

One of the riders whom Bontempi was referring to, is Alessandro Ballan. The former world champion was suspended in 2014 for his role in the Mantova case due and for having undergone a blood treatment with ozone therapy. Ballan has not managed to find a new team but after the acquittal he hopes to get a chance with the Southeast team.