gummibear Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 Which of the older riders would you like to see back in racing? Mario Cipollini is in pretty good shape and would love to see him against the younger sprinters. http://images.cyclingtips.com.au/content/uploads/2014/12/mariocipollini2.jpg Mario CipolliniFROM: ISSUE 62 Mario Cipollini talks sprinting, regrets and lightweight modern fast men in this extract from issue 62 What does the sprint mean to you? It's a whole life concentrated, squeezed and shaken in 20 seconds. To be as strong in those vital, existential seconds, you have to work body and mind, day and night. The sprint is tension and intuition, will and desire, self-denial and sacrifice, focus and determination, judgement and vision. For me it was a way to express myself, to show my character, to make my personality stand out.Is there something that you wish you had done? I wish I'd finished at least one Tour de France. I went back to the Tour, as a spectator, in 2014 when Vincenzo Nibali won. And I lived the atmosphere not as an athlete or a journalist, but with all those fans who see the riders who finish the Tour as authentic heroes. And I was sorry. I should have got to Paris. For them. For me. For cycling culture. Do you have a weakness?Who knows what I look like most of the time, but deep down I'm a good guy. Sweetness melts me, passion conquers me, love dominates me. Why didn't you become a directeur sportif?Because I was the person least suited to explain to a rider all of the sacrifices he has to make to respect himself, the fans and the sport. He has to tell them that once they've fixed their minds on a goal, they can't falter with one kilometre in training, a spoonful of food or a minute of rest.You don't want to return to racing? I'd only need a month and a half of training to beat all of the Italian sprinters. Some of them I beat even now. Just don't ask me to give any names; they have contracts and I'd get them in trouble.And the others?The road is like a ring. Real sprinters are like heavyweight boxers. People like Marcel Kittel, André Greipel, like me. Mark Cavendish is strong, or at least was strong, because now – with all respect – he is in decline, but he was never a heavyweight. He was lucky to come into a power vacuum when the world heavyweight title was vacant, and to have a train that made it like a stroll for him.It says it all that he's trying to go to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro on the track. If he felt confident, he'd aim for the World Championship road race. For a rider, the road Worlds is always the most important and prestigious goal.This is an edited extract from Mario Cipollini’s interview in issue 62 of Rouleur, out now. Translation by Colin O'Brien. https://rouleur.cc/journal/riders/mario-cipollini-interview
Longbarn Killer Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 With all due respect to the "dopers suck" thread, would love to see Jan Ulrich and Lance Armstrong duking it out again.
Tumbleweed Posted May 26, 2016 Posted May 26, 2016 "...they have contracts and I'd get them in trouble." Bwahahahaha!
rouxtjie Posted May 27, 2016 Posted May 27, 2016 Some gems there from Super Mario!!love it....we need characters like him in the mix. lekker windgat
jcza Posted May 27, 2016 Posted May 27, 2016 love it....we need characters like him in the mix. lekker windgat Totally agree with you! Too many robots around today.
HBO Posted May 27, 2016 Posted May 27, 2016 Would love to see Andy Schleck back. Still very disappointed that he never reach his full potential. Who knows what might have happened if it wasn't for that pelvis injury? I can still remember that TDF (can't remember the year, 2011?) where he and Frank attacked in tandem up Col De Galibier until Andy eventually got away. There was a team mate ahead in the break away that waited for him and helped on the flat section before Alpe d'Hueze. Andy won the stage and got the yellow only to lose it too Cadel in the final TT. Great tactics by Team Leopard then.
Underachiever Posted May 27, 2016 Posted May 27, 2016 If it was possible at all: Stephen Roche perhaps?Sean Kelly - one of the true hard men of the sportAlso Hinault!! And then some of the climbersLuis Hererra
Tumbleweed Posted May 27, 2016 Posted May 27, 2016 Pantani...dancing on his pedals. Or was that Lance?
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