That is terrible news, wasn't he 3rd in Paris Roubaix last year from memory ?( someone will correct I am sure) real shame. This is a dangerous sport we all love......

And third at Flanders.
I really hope that kidney can be saved. Cannot do much strenuous exercise with just one, let alone race a bike.

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Best wishes to Ballan none of us like to hear that

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Incorrect.

Tom Lonergan, plays AFL for Geelong, lost a kidney at the start of his career. Hasn't hampered him.

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Interesting, TP. Exceptional, actually.

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Bianchi-Campagnolo

And the 2008 world champion.

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Wilier Cento Uno
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Wilier 18carati

Terrible terrible news about Ballan! Wherever he's been his teammates always speak highly of him. Seems like a nice guy! Wish him a quick recovery!

On a medical note... How does one go about without a spleen? Is it a redundant organ?

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Living without a spleen makes you more vulnerable to bacterial infections, to begin with. No quite a good thing. But you can live quite well without this organ, apparently.

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You can live quite happily without a spleen. Need vaccinations before it is taking out and lifelong daily antibiotics afterwards to prevent bacterial infections.

Surprise someone has not seen it as a great weight-weenie move!

For anyone still wondering whether Lance Armstrong will come clean... he couldn't even if he wanted to, and this is why: Sunday Times sues for return of libel settlement.

his power to weight will go up after surgery.

I doubt we'll see much more out of him between that and Mantova.

Isn't daily antibiotics real bad for recovery?

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2013 Wilier Cento1 SR || 2009 Ridley Crossbow || 2011 Yeti AS-R 5 Carbon

Yes, as a microbiologist, I feel extremely strongly on that issue. It is one of THE WORST things you can do for yourself in take antibiotics because it selects for those that are immune or resistant further adding to the problem. They should only be used in time of dire need or absolute necessity. In addition, they kill the microbes in your body indiscriminately in that both harmful, neutral and mutualistic all die. This significantly hampers your bodys ability to maintain and control itself as well as fight of future pathogens/harmful bacteria.

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Looks like I made a new 90 Proof friend

I had some of my best power numbers, race results, etc while taking antibiotics albeit fairly light ones.