courtesy Threshold Sports

July 17, 2002 (New York, NY) – Mario Cipollini will not compete in the
inaugural New York City Cycling Championship presented by BMC Software as
previously announced. Despite receiving a signed engagement contract from
Cipollini’s team manager, Vincenzo Santoni, on July 9, 2002, event
organizers Threshold Sports were notified that Cipollini’s sudden
and unexpected retirement announcement from the sport meant that his New
York appearance would be canceled.

” While we can try to enforce his contract, we can’t make the Lion King
ride his bike if he doesn’t want to,” said David Chauner, president and
CEO of Threshold Sports LLC, the company that organizes the event.
“Several other top pros have expressed interest in racing in New York and
we hope to fill Mario’s spot quickly.”

Three-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, and 2000 Olympic Gold
Medalist Marty Nothstein are among the field of top international cyclists
who will race through the streets of Lower Manhattan on August 4. Memorial
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the official charity of the event, which
also includes a pro women’s race, Celebrity Chase and BMC Software
Corporate Challenge. The men’s pro race will be telecast live on
WABC-TV New York from 1-4 p.m.

www.nycbikerace.com