Michele Bartoli (l) trained with Ivan Basso over Christmas, here on the Passo del Bracco (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
After weeks of speculation is seems likely Bartoli will join Italian team ISD, which is directed by his former teammate Luca Scinto.
ISD team manager Angelo Citracca revealed during the team's presentation on Sunday night that he is working on signing Bartoli as the team's 21st rider, according to another website.
"If you ask me how true the idea [of signing Bartoli] is, I'd say 99%. We're working at reaching an agreement and things could be sorted out within the next 15 days. We'll see what happens," Citracca said.
Bartoli kept in shape this winter by training with Ivan Basso. Citracca said that Bartoli is as strong as when he retired in 2004, according to tests performed recently.
Citracca and Scinto are aware of the fact that Bartoli could be involved in Operación Puerto and that he may face questioning by CONI, the Italian national anti-doping agency.
Bartoli has registered with the UCI in November, which could allow him to race the Giro d'Italia. Riders have to be in the doping testing pool for at least six months before the are eligible to race.
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