Sevilla, Gutierrez and Rujano to follow
After the announcement tha Daniele Nardello will be joining the team of Davide Boifava, it appears another big Italian name may be going with him. Il Falco Bergamasco, Paolo Savoldelli, could be following in the foot steps of the rider from Varese if his current situation with Astaná is not corrected.
Davide Boifava, team manager of Androni Giocattoli-3C Casalinghi, has formed a new pro-continental team for 2007 that is a fusion of the staff from Androni and Team LPR. The co-founder of Carrera bicycles, who courted Ivan Basso before he signed with Discovery Channel, is now in talks with two Spaniards, Oscar Sevilla and José Enrique Gutierrez.
Savoldelli has been linked with Astaná, even signing a contract with Swiss Marc Biver, but may choose to leave the team according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The ongoing litigation between Biver and Spaniard Manolo Saiz (holder of the actual ProTour license that Astaná wants) could become even more complicated, and if Il Falco has an interesting offer from Boifava then Biver is likely to let him go.
José Rujano, the little Venezuelan who almost toppled Savoldelli in the 2005 Giro d'Italia, may also ride for Boifava. After personal problems effected his 2006 season, Rujano might have an offer to ride along side Savoldelli according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
As of yesterday, November 22, the new team is in Calcinato (Brescia), the site of bicycle manufacturer Carrera, for their first training camp. The confirmed riders are Luca Celli (Acqua & Sapone), Raffaele Ferrara, Paolo Bailetti, Maurizio Bellin, Daniele Callegarin, Riccardo Chiarini, Marco Marcato and Luca Solari (all from Androni Giocattoli-3C Casalinghi); from Team LPR there could likely be Alessandro Maserati and Samuele Marzoli.
