After a turbulent period, Franco Pellizotti can finally continue his preparation for the coming season with peace in mind. Androni-Venezuela manager Gianni Savio has found the needed funding to keep the former Italian champion.

Franco Pellizotti appeared to have a safe future ahead of him when he was announced as a new signing by Astana in August. Looking forward to returning to the top level, the former Italian champion was signed as a key domestique for Vincenzo Nibali in the Tour de France.

However, things started to unravel when Astana decided to obey to a rule of the Movement for a Credible Cycling (MPCC) which states that a member cannot sign a new rider until two years after the expiration of a doping-related suspension. Having been suspended for a biological passport case and having returned to competition in May 2012, Pellizotti could not start his season with Astana before May 2.

Both Pellizotti and Astana appeared to have accepted the rule but earlier this month the team announced that Pellizotti would not join the team after all. No reason was given but it was a common perception that Pellizotti was reluctant to miss too much of the season at 35 years of age (he will turn 36 in January).

When Pellizotti returned from his suspension, he was picked up by the Androni-Venezuela team with which he had a valid contract. While Pellizotti was expected to ride for Astana, that team's manager Giannic Savio had, however, spent his budget and he needed extra funding if he wanted to keep his star rider.

"I've gone back to my pool of sponsors and asked them if they're willing to make an extra effort to sign Franco. I'm still waiting for some replies but I expect to know in a few days time," he told Cyclingnews a few weeks ago.

Apparently, his sponsors recognize the value of having Pellizotti continue with the team. Today Savio has announced that Pellizotti will indeed ride for his team in 2014, keeping his captaincy role alongside one of the team's new signings.

"Pellizotti stays with us and will be captain of the team together with Johnny Hoogerland," he said.

Like Astana, Androni is an MPCC member and so Savio was keen to stress that Pellizotti has not signed a new contract with the team. When he made his original deal, the team was not a member of the movement and so they have been in total compliance with the rules.

"It's not a new contract," Savio said. "Franco signed this contract just before the National Championshps. We added a clause that if he could sign a better deal with another team, but only if it was a WorldTour team, he could leave." 

Savio has been known for signing many ex-dopers in the past but recently revealed that he would change that strategy as he wants to turn the team into a ProTeam in the near future. However, he has decided to make an exception by keeping Pellizotti in his ranks.

Pellizotti will again focus on the Giro d'Italia and try to improve on this year's 11th place. As the winner of Coppa Italia, Androni-Venezuela has already been guaranteed a wildcard for the race.