Rebellin and Petacchi to LPR Brakes?

Team LPR Brakes-Ballan is looking into signing Italians Alessandro Petacchi and Davide Rebellin for the 2009 season. Though talks are informal at the moment, Team Manager Fabio Bordonali confirmed that his Professional Continental team has contacted one of the best sprinters and one of the best one-day riders on the market.

"There are these projects in course," stated Bordonali to Cyclingnews regarding his search for new riders. "Rebellin raced with us in 2000 and 2001 [as part of Liquigas]. He is a rider that could work well with [Danilo] Di Luca in the Classics and races like Tirreno-Adriatico."

This year's Paris-Nice winner is currently riding with Team Gerolsteiner, but the team faces being without a financial backer for 2009. Rebellin stated his desire to remain with the team if it can find a new sponsor. "I would like to finish my career with him," Rebellin said of Gerolsteiner Team Manager Hans Michael Holczer.

Bordonali stated that it is obvious that his team is considering signing Petacchi as he is a big name rider in Italy. He warned a contract would not be easy, "He does not move on his own, he needs more men at his side. Maybe he will change his mind and want to bring along less men."

Super-sprinter Petacchi will be allowed to race when his suspension ends this August.

For more on Rebellin read Ready for Ardennes and beyond.