Cipollini Enjoys His Moment

It’s two stages and two victories for Mario Cipollini at the Tour de France.

For the second consecutive day, Cipollini waited for the right moment to unleash a powerful sprint and win the second stage Monday to retain the leader’s yellow jersey.

After being in stars-and-striped cycling pants Sunday to honor his American bicycle manufacturer, he wore yellow pants, bike and helmet Monday to honor the yellow jersey he wore.

But that kind of fashion note cost him. He was fined $133 for wearing pants not conforming to his team uniform.

He can afford it, however. Winning another stage earned him $8,300.

Cipollini has won six Tour de France stages in his career and 16 sprint finishes this year in various races. But he is among the first to drop out when the Tour hits the mountains. In four previous Tours, he has dropped out each time.

He probably will drop out at the base of the Pyrenees next Monday. The third stage today is from Vire to Plumelec, 139.2 miles.