http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/7943.0.html
He could sprint!
Wished I could have seen him race live.
In last year's Tour de Georgia he left the autograph signing mob and was interviewed by an event announcer over the large PA system. The announcer asked how he liked Georgia. Mario responded in classic style (smoothing back his hair, smiling big, dark shades on) "I love it here! I not go back to Italy, I stay right here." The crowd of women errupt in screams. Mario waves, then goes back to posing for pictures and signing autographs.
Another time I saw him sprinting to the finish in one of the spring classics I believe.
Some young up and comer tries to pass him on a slick curve just yards from the finish.
Young guy looses it and skids out.
His bike slides under Mario's and some another guy's bikes.
All 3 slide toward the hay bale barriers at 30mph on the concrete.
Slow motion replay showed Mario sliding backwards accross the road.
He sits up slightly, slaps the young guy, then chastises him until they all hit the barricde.
They then bounce and land in a pile.
Mario was STILL yelling at this guy who has landed on top of him.
Props to him.
He could sprint!
Wished I could have seen him race live.
In last year's Tour de Georgia he left the autograph signing mob and was interviewed by an event announcer over the large PA system. The announcer asked how he liked Georgia. Mario responded in classic style (smoothing back his hair, smiling big, dark shades on) "I love it here! I not go back to Italy, I stay right here." The crowd of women errupt in screams. Mario waves, then goes back to posing for pictures and signing autographs.
Another time I saw him sprinting to the finish in one of the spring classics I believe.
Some young up and comer tries to pass him on a slick curve just yards from the finish.
Young guy looses it and skids out.
His bike slides under Mario's and some another guy's bikes.
All 3 slide toward the hay bale barriers at 30mph on the concrete.
Slow motion replay showed Mario sliding backwards accross the road.
He sits up slightly, slaps the young guy, then chastises him until they all hit the barricde.
They then bounce and land in a pile.
Mario was STILL yelling at this guy who has landed on top of him.
Props to him.