Defending world road cycling champion Alessandro Ballan has decided to quit Lampre and is poised to sign for BMC, despite the American team not featuring on the main Pro Tour.

"I've decided to change teams. I want to go abroad to learn English and see the world," he told Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport from the Tour of Spain.

"It's true BMC is not a Pro Tour team..but you need good riders and the invites will come."

Italy's Ballan won the world title in Varese last year but has been hampered by a virus this term which has cut his chances of defending his crown in Switzerland's Mendrisio next month.