You're Fired!

As read on RoadBikeRider.com:

4. RACING ROUNDUP

Gleaned from news sources worldwide. Credited where exclusive.

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Mario Cipollini's whirlwind relationship Team Rock Racing -- and comeback to pro cycling at almost 41 years of age (his birthday is Saturday) -- are over. The Lion King and the U.S.-based squad severed ties on Tuesday, leaving the flamboyant Italian road sprinter teamless just before Sunday's Milan-San Remo, which starts the European classics season. Cipo indicated he has retired for good this time after already being out of action for nearly three years. A rumor surfaced linking him to the Tinkoff Credit Systems team for M-SR but he shot it down. "The idea of riding Milan-San Remo made sense [only] if it was linked to a wider project of building and managing a new team," Cipo explained, "and if my return to racing was part of the project to create a dream team."

As for Rock Racing, a statement from owner Michael Ball said, "From a business perspective and from an overall team standpoint, the relationship between Mario Cipollini and Rock Racing was not advantageous, and would not work long-term. We have terminated his contract and wish him luck in future endeavors." Super Mario rode one event for Rock Racing, the Amgen Tour of California last month, and finished as high as third in one stage. He has 189 career victories, including the 2002 road world championship.