MILAN (AP) — Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco says he has signed a deal with the Quick-Step team that will allow him to race in major tours following a doping ban.
Ricco told the Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday that he has signed through the end of 2011, but the Belgian team hasn’t announced the deal.
Ricco began racing with Ceramica Flaminia in March following a 20-month ban for doping at the 2008 Tour de France. But the small Italian team was not invited to major races and announced Thursday it had terminated Ricco’s contract.
Ricco says he would like to race the Spanish Vuelta with Quick-Step in two weeks.
Ricco tested positive for the advanced blood booster CERA after winning two mountain stages of the 2008 Tour.
