Evgeni Petrov likely to Tinkoff

Evgeni Petrov of Lampre-Fondital is likely to sign with Omar Piscina's new formation, Tinkoff. According to todociclismo.com, the 28 year-old will leave the blue and pink colours of his current ProTour squadra to join with Tinkoff, a new Italian Pro Continental team with Russian sponsorship.

The Russian connection would be perfect for the rider from Kemerobskaja. Petrov, pro since 2001, began his career with Mapei, where he became Russian TT champion and won the Tour de l'Avenir. Bad news struck in 2005, when the Russian was stopped for abnormal blood values just prior to the Tour de France.

Omar Piscina, current team manager with LPR, is forming the new squad for 2007; having secured Danilo Hondo and Steffen Weigold, the Italian is said to be courting American Tyler Hamilton.