Alessandro Ballan has almost decided to end his career. The former BMC rider has still not found a team for next season and seems to be unable to find one.

Ballan explains to La Gazzetta dello Sport that he has given himself a deadline of December 20. On December 18, the final hearing will be held in the Mantova case where the public prosecutor asks for possible jail time for the Italian who has already served a two-year ban.

In recent months, Ballan has been linked to the Southeast team but there was only one conversation between the parties, thanks to the Gastaldello family that will support the team with its Wilier bikes in 2016, and there was never any real negotiation. That option now seems to be closed.

"I do not deserve to retire,” Ballan tells the Italian sports daily. “It would be nice to do another season or just six months. It would give me the chance to better explain the absurd story that I have gone through and I would get back the feeling that I have missed. Above all, it is a regret that I have to retire based on a decision made by others and not by me.”