LPR signs super-sprinter Petacchi

Fabio Bordonali signed Italian super-sprinter Alessandro Petacchi to race with Team LPR Brakes-Ballan though 2010. The 34 year-old, winner of multiple Giro d'Italia and Tour de France stages, will start racing with the team when his suspension expires in September.

"It is a great feeling to have the faith of Bordonali," expressed Petacchi after signing with the team of Bordonali. He indicated a new phase of his career has begun and he looks forward to forming another group of lead-out men.

Petacchi was suspended from racing though August 31 after being found positive for excess use of Salbutamol (asthma drug) during the 2007 Giro d'Italia. (For more details of the Petacchi read Innocently Guilty – the Petacchi case.)

The rider from La Spezia plans on returning to racing immediately with the Tour of Britain, September 7 to 14, or Paris-Bruxelles, September 13. He will build for Paris-Tours, October 12, which he won in 2007.

"I have to be on form in September to repay everything they [LPR - ed.] has done for me."

The Professional Continental Team has requested to Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) an invitation for Paris-Tours. "We have asked for an invitation for all of the ASO races," team spokesperson Milena Salazar confirmed to Cyclingnews.