He had a big contusion and the team doctors suggested he not start," said Simone Toccafondi, who works with the team’s bike sponsor, Specialized. “He was extremely upset to leave. His shape was really coming up. He wanted to show something to Mr. Leblanc, to show that he’s a champion, that he could make it over the mountains.”
Cipollini’s abandon means he won’t be using the special bike the team had prepared for the world champion. For the steep, menacing climb to the Monte Zoncolan summit, Cipollini was going to ride a full-suspension mountain bike fitted with road tires.
–What?? Anyone have an idea of the rationale behind that?
Knowing Mario, riding a mountain bike would have been his not-so-subtle way of telling race organizers just exactly what he thought of that particular stage.
It was probably a stunt to promote Specialized’s Epic suspension bike which is supposed to be as efficient as a hard tail on smooth pavement or trails (rear suspension does not activate) and only becomes active when hitting bumps. Probably would have run a lockout on the front shock.