Valentino Fois returns with Amore & Vita

Italian Valentino Fois is returning to professional cycling following a three-year ban for doping. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 34 year-old from Bergamo signed for Ivano Fanini's Amore & Vita-McDonald's Italian Continental team.

Fois turned professional in 1996 with Panaria, and was known as a domestic for Marco Pantani. Following his ban in October 2002 by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), he dealt with personal problems including depression, alcohol and drug use.

He will make his racing return this Saturday in Madrid with the support of 1996 Giro d'Italia winner Pavel Tonkov. "He is the one true friend," said Fois. "I want to demonstrate that my motor is still good, to close [out with cycling] without regrets."

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