Philips to take over from Fassa Bortolo?

Reports in La Gazzetta dello Sport have fuelled speculation that the Dutch electronics giant Philips could take over from Fassa Bortolo as the main sponsor of Giancarlo Ferretti's "silver team". La Gazzetta has reported that ex-Rabobank manager Jan Raas has been acting as an intermediary between Philips and Ferretti for the last three months, and a yay/nay sponsorship decision is expected next week. Raas has dismissed the rumours.

Ferretti has already applied for an extension of his ProTour licence for another three years, but the question as to which colours Alessandro Petacchi will ride in next year is still up in the air.