Nozal close to Karpin-Galicia

Isidro Nozal, formally with Astana, is reportedly close to signing with newly formed Professional Continental squad Karpin-Galicia according to a press release published on Spanish sports diary website MARCA.

"Although Karpin-Galicia has finished signing new riders for next season, when this possibility arose, neither Valery Karpin, president of the team, nor sports director Álvaro Pino, wanted to forego the opportunity and decided to make an important improvement to the squad," stated the official release.

Nozal, who finished second in the 2003 Vuelta a España, could return to racing for the first time since being named in the Operacion Puerto investigations prior to this year's Tour de France. "He is at a better moment now and can give us much success. He will also reinforce the squad," concluded Pino. AJS