NO MILAN-SAN REMO FOR CIPOLLINI

Mario Cipollini has confirmed that he will not ride Saturday?s Milan-San Remo and that he has ended his contract with the US-based Rock Racing team.

Cipollini had hoped to become the manager of a Monaco-based European Rock Racing team in 2009 but now those plans appear in tatters after team boss Michael Ball and Cipollini apparently failed to reach a long-term agreement.

SuperMario was hoping to celebrate his 41st birthday in the saddle at Milan-San Remo and there were rumours of a possible late switch to Tinkoff so that he could ride on Saturday. But in a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Cipollini confirmed that his second career was over.

?Unfortunately I?ve had to end my relationship with the American Rock Racing team that started a few months ago,? he said in the statement.

?The idea of riding Milan-San Remo made sense if it was linked to a wider project of building and managing a new team, and my return to racing was part of the project to create a dream team. Despite a contract, this hasn?t happened for reasons out of my control.?

?I deny the rumours circulating that I might ride Milan-San Remo with another team because, as I said, riding Milan-San Remo would have made sense if it was linked to a long-term management plan in the future.?

Nobody from the Rock Racing team was available for immediate comment but controversial team owner Michael Ball is expected to respond to Cipollini?s statement.

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