26-year old Italian won six times in 2010

Last night Riccardo Riccò signed a contract with the Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team commencing on August 16th 2010 for 2 years up to 31 December 2012. After being part of Cermica Flaminia earlier in the year, the Italian decided a few weeks ago to look for a team which would participate in more races at a higher level.  On Monday the climber was examined by the team's medical staff and clinical chemist Dr. Douwe de Boer. The intention is, if he can be registered with the UCI in time, the Italian will ride his first race for the Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team on 22 August at the GP Plouay.

The Italian rider made his comeback in the peloton on 20 March 2010 after being suspended. The rider with his attacking style tested positive on CERA in 2008. A 20-month suspension followed. Shortly after his positive test Riccò told the CONI he accepts that he has to pay for his mistake. The rider apologised to the fans and team mates.

Currently Riccò is two years older and back in the bunch: “ I am happy to be back and I believe everyone deserves a second chance but I know I'm not there yet. I aim to give the fans great events by racing aggressively and honestly. By chosing for the Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team I have chosen a team where they have a zero-tolerance policy and where a clean sport is one of the major objectives, a team which sets an example will be good for me in my second life as a cyclist. During the meetings with Vacansoleil they were strict in their conditions but fair and I am confident in our cooperation. I will not risk the trust and image and will pay back with great results.”

The Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team is happy with signing the Italian. Team manager Daan Luijkx: “It all developed really quickly last week while we were looking for a real climber to add to our team for 2011. After we consulted the main sponsor Vacansoleil we decided to meet Riccò. The meeting made us decide to go for it.”

Currently the Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team leads the Europe Tour and the blue and yellow formation aims to participate in more and more big races. Luijkx has confidence in Riccò: “We share ambition and a way of racing with the Italian. If you look at the way he won the Tour of Austria 2010, with blood all over his face after a crash but still made it to the finish, you know he is a special rider. Main sponsor and team believe that Riccò, after being punished, like everyone else deserves a second chance. As a team we have influence in things like the agreement and screening of the small Italian. Riccò agreed, like all riders, on immediate termination of his contract and the payment of an astronomical amount in case of misbehavior. Examples of misbehavior can be found in actions which bring he team into discredit and/or the failure to comply with internal regulations. Let’s await his UCI registration and see if he is able to make his debut at GP Plouay, where we will immediately see his great capabilities.”

Daan Luijkx concludes, looking at the public opinion: “ Riccò was one of the idols at the 2008 Tour and it was a heavy blow for cycling that one of the idols was caught doping. In 2010 we must look at Riccò as a rider who paid his debt and look to the future. In the last few years several riders were able to contribute to clean cycling after being suspended, Riccardo has to get in that group. There are not many riders who can finish in the top 3 of a main Tour and Riccò is one of them. Our team contributes value to almost all races it participates in and Riccò should take this example and add value to the team, this is where we should focus on.”

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