Okay, Cipo, I'm glad you did it...

Now that I am over the shock of Cipollini deciding to come out of retirement to race with a bunch of ex-dopers on Michael Ball's Rock Racing team, I have to admit that I am actually glad Cipo made this decision. Initially I thought there is no way Cipo, at 41, would stand a prayer next to the younger sprinters in the Tour of California like J.J. Haedo and Tom Boonen. I imagined Cipo's return to pro cycling after a three year hiatus would be reminiscent of Jordan's disastrous foray into pro baseball after retiring from the Bulls or Drew Bledsoe's last season as a pro quarterback. Much to my surprise and enjoyment, however, Super Mario pulled off a podium spot earlier in the week, two spots behind Tom Boonen. Seeing a guy like him race again is quite cool, especially when he shows he can still pull it off.

Seeing interviews like the one below is well worth the disappointment of seeing him race for Ball's team. My favorite quote: "I am 41 here in the body, but 20 in the brain."