'I stop here'

Snubbed from Tour, Cipollini announces retirement

ROME (AP) -- Italian cycling great Mario Cipollini is retiring from the sport, citing bitterness at not being invited to the Tour de France as one of his reasons.

The 35-year-old cyclist was enjoying one of his most successful seasons, winning six stages of the Giro d'Italia, the Milan-San Remo classic and the Gand-Wevelgem race.

In a statement released late Tuesday on his Web site, Cipollini said "the bitterness of not being able to compete for victory" and frustration with his team sponsors are what "leads me to take this drastic decision to say enough with cycling."

He plans a news conference in the next few days to explain his decision.

It was not clear if Cipollini planned to retire immediately or after the racing season. The title of the Web statement was, "I stop here."

As Italy's best sprinter, Cipollini had been expected to be his country's top rider at the world championships in Portugal this autumn.

In 1999, he became the first rider since 1948 to capture three consecutive stages of the Tour de France. In this year's Giro, he fell one short of the record of 41 stage wins long held by Alfredo Binda.

Cipollini had said he wanted to break the record next year.

"I hope to be in the Giro next year and possibly make it 42 stage wins," he said after this year's race.

Cipollini, nicknamed "Super Mario" by his fans, is the captain of the Acqua e Sapone team.

 

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