Cipollini Blasts Back After Three Years

Super Mario has returned to racing after three years of retirement from the pro peloton. Now 40 years old (41 next month) he demonstrated why he is "Super": he finished 44th (of 132 riders) in the Tour of California prologue, six seconds faster than World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) and eight seconds faster than Oscar Freire (Rabobank)! And, he was the top finisher of his team.
Super Mario explaining his thoughts on the starting ramp, "Mi sono emozionato. Strana la vita. Mai dire mai". "I was very emotional. Life is strange. Never say never."

Mario on the 3.4km course. The Italian press reported that he used an 8 year old TT bike.

Mario is happy with his result:

Mario finshed 17 seconds behind World Champion Fabian Cancellara who won the prologue. Fabian, although Swiss, is immensely popular in Italy because of his Italian heritage: