Team Androni-Venezuela signs Franco Pellizotti for the remaining 2012 season
Franco Pellizotti is all set to mark his return to professional cycling after being suspended for variance in his biological passport.
The cyclist is due to join the peloton in May and will be seen in Team Androni-Venezuela colours for the remaining part of the season.
Franco started his professional career with Team Alessio in 2001 and stayed with the team until 2004.
He accepted an offer from Team Liquigas-Bianchi in 2005 and rode with the team by the end of 2010 season.
A number of teams including Team Lampre-ISD and Team Acqua & Sapone contacted Pellizotti but he decided to continue his professional pursuit with Team Androni-Venezuela.
He told Tuttobici, “I received some offers and I chose the team where I am certain to find the ideal environment in which to be re-launched, I can’t wait to get back to racing”.
“Franco’s name was included amongst several other cyclists investigated by UCI for ‘irregular blood values’.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the cyclist had “suspicious blood values” just before the start of the Tour de France 2009.
UCI confirmed the news later in its press release and was immediately replaced by Vincenzo Nibali by his team.
His case was forwarded to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in March 2011 and the jury handed him a two year ban from professional cycling.
The court also disqualified him from all the victories since May 17, 2009 which voided his third overall finish and a stage victory at the Giro d’ Italia 2009.
Pellizotti is now expected to return to professional cycling in May 2012 and is looking good to make up for the lost time.
Team Androni-Venezuela Manager Gianni Savio is also delighted to have Franco on the side and is determined that the cyclist will help his side in achieving its goal for the season.
He mentioned “We really believe in Franco Pellizotti, and we’re convinced that he can follow the same path as Michele Scarponi, another athlete who found himself in a similar situation and who was re-launched at a high level with us”.
Gianni also cited that the team’s main sponsor, Androni has agreed to continue with the team by the end of 2013 season.
Tags: