Our Giro stage 8: Lion King part 2

Part two of our look at the life and times of the Giro d'Italia's record stage winner Mario Cipollini picks up the story in 2002, as he has just won the rainbow jersey at the World Championships.

Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe look at the final seasons before his eventual retirement, which he had threatened a couple of times previously. The ceremonial skinsuits were a reflection of his flamboyance and marketing power but the doping allegations and darker accusations since retirement have all complicated the Lion King's legacy.

We also hear Mark Cavendish's verdict on who was the greatest sprinter.

And there's the latest selection from Ciro for his Giro d'Italia dream team.

The Cycling Podcast is supported by iwoca and Science In Sport.

COMING TOMORROW...
We look back at Italia '90. Not the football World Cup or Nessun Dorma, although both feature, but the Giro led from start to finish by Gianni Bugno, who gave Italy her first victory for four years at a time when the country's confidence was sky high.

WATCH OUR FIRST FILM

Our first film, And So We Rode… is available for Friends of the Podcast to watch now. This is the story of Larry Warbasse and Conor Dunne packing their bags and going on a bikepacking trip in the French and Italian Alps after their pro team Aqua Blue Sport folded mid-season. It costs £15 to sign up as a Friend of the Podcast and you will be able to watch the film as well as listen to all our special episodes. thecyclingpodcast.com/join

iwoca became The Cycling Podcast’s title sponsors in March 2020. Iwoca specialises in supporting small businesses and can lend between £1,000 and £250,000. Applications can take only a few minutes to complete and they promise a fast and fair decision. To find out more, go to iwoca.co.uk

Science In Sport is The Cycling Podcast’s longest-standing supporter. It’s a relationship that stretches back to the 2016 Giro d’Italia. Listeners can get 25% off Science In Sport’s range of energy drinks, bars, gels and cakes at scienceinsport.com with the code SISCP25

If you have a smart turbo trainer, you can ride Our Giro on the RGT digital platform. Each stage is around 30 kilometres long and will be online for three days. Go to RGTcycling.com/our-giro for details of how to download the app and sign up. Thanks to RGT and Veloviewer.com for helping us create Our Giro.

Our friends at Dvinecellars.com have put together a ‘Selezione Our Giro’ case of 12 wines from around Italy. There’s also a ‘Baby Giro’ case of six bottles. Use the code ‘Our Giro’ when ordering. Cases can be delivered in the UK, excluding the Highlands and Northern Ireland, and a donation from each case will be made to the Scuola Ciclismo in Cene.