Di Luca rumored to come on board after his doping suspension expires in July 2011
Andrea Noè will tackle his final year as a professional in 2011 with the new Farnese Vini - MCipollini team, the successor of ISD Neri. Danilo Di Luca may get his second chance with the Continental outfit, after his doping suspension runs out in July of next year.
Noè was a teammate of Scinto from 1998 to 2002, at a time when both were riding first for Asics and later with Mapei-Quickstep. Scinto retired after the 2002 season but Noè continues almost a decade later. The 2011 season is supposed to be the final one for the Italian.
Scinto has been trying to recruit Noè since 2009. "I have already sensed some criticism for this [decision]," Scinto told tuttobiciweb.it. "To those I respond that today riders like Andrea do not exist anymore, domestiques from a different era. They work all day long but remain near the front, at the side of their captain." Scinto wants to have the younger riders learn the old-style domestique role from Noè.
Noè won't race the full season in 2011. "We already are in agreement that after the Giro d'Italia, which I will do, I will stop," Noè said. "At 42 years of age [which he will reach in January -ed] I don't lack the desire of racing but there is always the moment when you have to stop. I feel the desire to race one final Giro d'Italia, to be able to stop."
Noè finished fourth in the Corsa Rosa in 2000 and 2003 and was sixth in 2001. He won a stage in 1998. "I hope I can start the Giro next year, given that the race finishes in Milano and I am one of the few cyclists from Milan left. The race also finishes May 29, the birthday of my wife. I think that would be a nice ending!"
Danilo Di Luca is set to make his comeback with the Farnese Vini - MCipollini team. The Italian was suspended for doping, after he tested positive for EPO Cera in the 2009 Giro d'Italia. He is still suspended until July 21, 2011, but according to sportdome.nl, a comeback with the Italian Continental team is possible.