Former World champion Mario Cipollini has been acquitted of tax evasion charges by the Court of Appeals in Florence, Italy. The flamboyant Italian was sentenced to 22 months in prison by the court in his home town of Lucca for not paying taxes in 2003 and 2004.
Cipollini was able to have the decision reversed by proving that he was a tax paying resident in Monoco during that time. According to mediaset.it, the judge said he "had not committed the crime" after the former Sprint King demonstrated that he was not living in Italy to the court's satisfaction.
"I never defrauded the state," explained a satisfied Cipollini.
This year Cipollini has stepped up his involvement with the ISD-Neri team, adding the role of bike sponsor after working as a consultant in 2009. The organizers of the Giro d'Italia overlooked the team for a wildcard selection in this year's edition despite Cipollini's involvment with the team. The Italian is regarded as one of the best sprinters the sport has known, and holds the record of 42 stage wins in the Italian Grand Tour.