'Lion King' Cipollini returns to cycling

PALO ALTO, California -- Flamboyant Italian Mario Cipollini made his eagerly-anticipated return to professional cycling in the prologue of the Tour of California.

Cipollini, who retired in 2005, finished 44th behind winner Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, over a 2.05-mile course at Stanford University.

Sprint specialist Cipollini, who won the world championship in 2002, will look to make a real impression when the bunch racing starts on Monday.

The 40-year-old, who won a record 43 stages in his home Giro d'Italia, is now riding for Rock Racing who are based in the United States.

"The size of the crowd was amazing and caught me off guard," Cipollini said. "It was great to hear so many people cheering my name."

Prologue specialist Cancellara, who led the Tour de France for a week in 2007 after taking the short time trial against the clock in London, beat Britain's Bradley Wiggins by five seconds.

Wiggins, riding for the newly-formed Team High Road, will be looking to defend his pursuit title at the Beijing Olympics and is another specialist against the clock.

Defending Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer finished fourth and is well-placed for overall honors again.

Leipheimer is still smarting for the shock inclusion of his Astana team from this year's Tour de France, but was pleased with his first day performance before his home fans.

"To feel the energy of the crowd today was special," said Leipheimer.

"Combined with some of the best riders in the world makes for a competitive day. I'm feeling good and I'm looking forward to riding into my hometown tomorrow."

Cancellara is also well aware that he is unlikely to be challenging for overall honors once the race hits the California mountains.

"Today is today, tomorrow we'll see," said Cancellara, whose CSC team have been training for two weeks in the area ahead of the European season.

"The real start of the Tour of California is tomorrow."

The eight-day event continues on Monday with 97-mile Sausalito to Santa Rosa road race. The 650-mile event concludes Sunday with 93-mile seventh stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. E-mail to a friend

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