Super Mario is back… Italian superstar cyclist Mario Cipollini added an amateur world time trial title to his palmarés at the 2024 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Denmark on Thursday.

The 57 year-old, who was regarded as the world’s best sprinter during his professional career (193 victories including 42 Giro d’Italia stages, 12 Tour de France stages and the 2002 Road World Championship) showcased his fitness longevity and time trial skills on a 33.3km course along the Danish coast.

Cipollini finished the race against the clock in 41:46 to win the Mens 55-59 category and another UCI World Championship rainbow jersey. Not only did he win his category, he finished an impressive 18th overall from a field of 712 competitors, including many top amateur racers half his age.

Before the race Cipollini posted to his 362K Facebook followers, “But look at 57 years what I start to do … Tomorrow in Aalborg (Denmark) I participate in the Master World Championship (m6, from 55 to 60 years old) that is those somewhat elderly gentlemen who try to imitate the Champions.”

Earlier this year Cipollini also won the Gran Fondo World Tour® amateur world championships on the island of Gran Canaria in Spain.

On Sunday Cipollini has a chance to sprint to another world title at the UCI Gran Fondo Road Race, with the result almost a foregone conclusion… unless the field of ‘elderly gentlemen’ drops Super Mario.

2024 UCI Gran Fondo Time Trial World Championship results HERE.

Photo Credit:Facebook/MarioCipolliniOfficial

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