and out of LA. The deal is off

source?

This is a nice little piece with memorable photo's on his "signing"

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2008/01/flamboyant-one-signs-usa-contract.html

This is a nice little piece with memorable photo's on his "signing"

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2008/01/flamboyant-one-signs-usa-contract.html

ummm...that peice says it's ON! where's the source that says it's OFF?!?!?

It will be "on" when he's on a RR bike at the start line.

You got to wonder if this on again off again is Ball playing the media, any news is good news.

True dat! :p

The guy looked more fit than the whole team. I hope to see him race here in TOC although I doubt he'll be there at the end..

The guy looked more fit than the whole team. I hope to see him race here in TOC although I doubt he'll be there at the end..
I have a theory that Cipo's just tagging along with Ball for the babes, or vice versa.

People often misunderstand Chipo. The image is all playboy and party but this could not be farther from the truth. I used to live very close to Lucca, where Chipo lives in Italy. I certainly do not claim to know him but his reputation amoungst the local riders was of a very serious guy who trained and lived like a monk when focusing on a important race.

He was certain to clash with someone as disorganized as Ball, and it appears he has.

People often misunderstand Chipo. The image is all playboy and party but this could not be farther from the truth.

Maybe when he is training he's serious, but I helped support Domina Vacanze at the '04 TdG and he was the epitome of rockstar/playboy. If I had $10 for every chick's number he got or the number of times girls would show up at his room or call his cell phone I'd have enough for some nice new gear. He was a funny and totally charming guy to everyone, so it's easy to see how he manages to maintain that lifestyle

He is also quoted as saying he would like to die in an orgy. Part 'monk', part polyamorous playboy.

j.c. it's cipo

To be fair though kjmunc.... Cipo had no intentions of winning anything during the TdG. right?

And if I was there (like Mario was) to be part of the party & show my face for the sponsors, I'd wish to be half the swinging italian playboy that Cipo has been called.... Unfortunately, I"m Irish-American... And we're not really known for being Suave.

I think we're all expecting this to get worked out before the ToC however, simply cause Mario has the name, and face that will bring Rock Racing up a level, right?

aw bummer... would have been cool having him around.

anyone see the article about RR in velonews. Ball looked like some botoxed makeup wearing hollywood freak with a bad fake-n-bake. Perhaps the shot was of a plastic look-a-like head?