Italian Riccardo Ricco, who is currently serving a doping ban, was reported by Tuttosport to contract with the Irish-Italian cycling team Ceramica Flaminia.
Ricco was suspended in October 2008 by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) after he tested positive for Cera, the newest form of EPO, in last year’s Tour de France.
The 25-year-old climber had his sentence reduced to 20 months since he cooperated with CONI during the investigation.
‘The Cobra’, as he is known to his fans, will be able to race after March 19, 2010, in time to race a nearly complete season.
Rumors had been circulating on a connection with a new Mercatone Uno sponsorship, the company that backed Ricco’s cycling hero Marco Pantani.