obstacle

Maybe this has been discussed here, I'm a bit late to the party on this I think...But just what in the world do Michael Ball offer Mario Cipollini to join Rock Racing? it's one of the oddest things I've seen in cycling in a long time. What is someone like Mario doing on a US continental team? Granted he IS 40 (and still doing it) but it's sorta sad.

It's my WTF moment for the year.

eskimo85

Cipo owes lots of $ in back taxes he needed to do something. Plus he seems to fit with their "personality" pretty well.

eb314

I think he's 41. Maybe he needs the money, I heard he owes a lot in back taxes (over 1 million euros)

Dubbayoo

He probably could have made just as much if not more racing for an Italian team.

obstacle

Ok that makes sense. But a US continental team? That is just sad. Though it is just for the TOC.

eb314

Yeah, I don't know how much pro cyclists of his stature usually make or how much rock is paying him.

obstacle

I was thinking that. Be on the B-team of a pro-tour team or a leader of a European continental team...or go back to track....or do something else besides a US continental team. Granted he was always a polarizing figure in the sport but surely there must be enough people in Italy alone who love him and his name that they would have jumped at that chance to have him?

botto 

as previously stated - he owes money, and this is the quickest, and easiest way for him to get it.

end of story.

Greg180

Ya Think?

botto 

super mario would have to get some botox to completely fit in.

Dubbayoo

My only guess is that if he rode for an Italian team he would have had his wages garnished, whereas riding for a foreign team he can pay them back at his leisure.

obstacle

Valid point there too. Now it makes sense. Still, with the power of the US $ compared to the Euro...Cipo must be taking it in the bum in many ways....

Greg180

Tru Dat...He is starting to look 40+. But I'd be very happy with his fitness, skills and that head of hair. I certainly hit the 40s a lot harder than he did.

botto 

HGH FTW.

Gee3

I thought I read somewhere that said after this season he's going to assume a management or director position within the team. If that's true than it's his opportunity to give some exposure to the new team, pay off a few euro in debt and get some experience in management so he can continue his career in cycling but in a different capacity.

Dubbayoo

There was talk of him managing RR in Europe but I think Ball was under the impression his 'tainted trio' of Hamilton, Sevila and Botero would be allowed to race there.

obstacle

There is a snowball's chance in hell of that happening in 2008.

Greg180

Thats the ticket. Should it be injectible or pill form? Hmmm I wonder if there will be any contridiction with my Viagra, Crestor, Lexapro, Avacor, Mirapex, Oxycontin or Vitamin C?

ElJamoquio

You take C? That ****'s dangerous.

jrennie

Check out the interview pre stage 4 with cipo. He sounds really happy to be racing.
https://www.velonews.tv/?Art_ID=2001

Shifty

I watched him sprint third behind Tom Boonen in Sacramento on Tuesday, he looked like he belonged to me. He's a great rider, and seems to be training and taking this pretty seriously. I'm not so sure why the OP sees this as sad. The Rock Racing booth has been a mob scene at the finish of every stage, they seem to be getting the attention of the crowd.

roadgator

Hes not going to get there very fast at these exchange rates!

Sure the situation is kinda goofy, but i bet rock racing's flamboyant style helped sell Cipo. The guy loves to put on a show as much as a race.

badfishgood

The David Beckham of cycling.

On another note, look at his teeth... They look like Chiclets.

USAZorro

Mebbe he wants to check out the California girls.

ilpirata87

"I yam forty, no, forty one year in the body, ma twenty in the brain"

what a guy