Cipollini quits cycling

Mario Cipollini is to quit cycling, citing his bitterness at not being invited to the Tour de France as one of the reasons.

In a statement on his official website, he said: "The bitterness of not being able to compete for victory . . . leads me to take this drastic decision to say enough with cycling."

The announcement comes despite the fact that the 35-year-old has had one of his most successful ever seasons.

He won six stages of the Giro d'Italia, the Milan-San Remo classic and the Gand-Wevelgem race.

Cipollini said he would hold a news conference over the next few days to explain the decision.

It was not clear if Cipollini planned to retire immediately or after the racing season.