Former world champion Mario Cipollini has returned to cycling at the age of 40, signing a deal with American team Rock & Republic, Italian media said yesterday.

The Gazzetta dello Sport website ( www.gazzetta.it ) said the sprinter will compete in the Tour of California next month.

The colourful Italian won the elite men's road race at the 2002 World Championships and also recorded 42 stage wins in the Giro d'Italia and 12 stage victories in the Tour de France.

Cipollini, who retired in 2005, was recently named as the latest Italian sports personality to be investigated in a tax probe.

Tour de France green jersey winner Tom Boonen ruled himself out of this year's Olym-pics. The 2005 world champion told Reuters he had contemplated an appearance for Belgium at the Games in August but it was too soon after the Tour de France.

Retaining the green jersey for best sprinter in this year's Tour de France and winning the opening stage of the prestigious race are Boonen's priorities for 2008.

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