Sella signs contract with CarmioOro

Italian Emanuele Sella signed a contract on Wednesday evening with third division team CarmioOro - A-Style, the team confirmed to Cyclingnews. He will be eligible to race when his one-year doping suspension ends on August 18.

"We are deciding if he will do a stage race prior to his first race in Italy. He might be ready to race right away in Italy with the last two Trittico Lombardo races: Coppa Agostoni and Coppa Bernocchi," press spokesperson, Pietro Illarietti, told Cyclingnews.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) tested Sella July 23, 2008, at his home in Vicenza. The blood control showed him positive for third generation blood booster Erythropoietin (EPO), CERA.

Sella, 28, cooperated with prosecutors the Italian anti-doping tribunal issued him a shorter ban.

Sella won three stages in the 2008 Giro d'Italia – Alpe di Pampeago, Passo Fedaia and Tirano – and the climber's jersey. CarmioOro would need to be Professional Continental, second division, if Sella would have a chance to race the 2010 Giro d'Italia.

The team said it might consider moving up to the next division for 2010.

"We are first looking at signing other important riders," said Illarietti.

The team's recent wins have come thanks to Spaniard Sergio Pardilla. He won a stage of the Circuito Montañes last month and a stage and the overall of the Tour of Japan in May.