Sacramento, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2008) – Rock Racing’s Mario Cipollini added another chapter to his already illustrious career by finishing third in Tuesday’s Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California.

Cipollini scored Rock Racing’s most high-profile result to date in the team’s short history in the 115-mile (186.4 km) race from Santa Rosa to Sacramento. Only stage winner Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and runner-up Heinrich Haussler (Gerolsteiner) were faster in a drag-race sprint down the streets of Sacramento in front of the California state capitol building.

“It was a very difficult sprint and I couldn't express my maximum power, so it was challenging from that point of view,” Cipollini said. “I didn’t even know my position at one point so I had to use my experience a little bit.”

After the race, a barrage of camera flashes captured a Hollywood moment on the awards stage when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulated Cipollini, who, at 41, is the oldest rider in the race.

“This is just the start. There’s more to come,” Rock Racing Team Owner Michael Ball said. “We expect to win a stage before this race is over.”

Rock Racing started the race with only five riders after race organizers excluded American Tyler Hamilton, Columbian Santiago Botero and Spaniard Oscar Sevilla. But despite riding with less than a full eight-rider squad, Rock Racing remains 10th (of 17 teams) on the team classification.

Earlier Tuesday, Rock the Cure made an appearance on the awards platform when Ball presented a check for $10,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento representative Edwin Cotton on behalf from Rock Racing. Rock the Cure is the philanthropic division of Rock & Republic and the realization of a charitable giving model that can make a genuine difference.

As part of Rock the Cure’s involvement Tuesday, Rock Racing rider Rahsaan Bahati helped children experience the excitement of the Amgen Tour of California by visiting the Boys & Girls Club. He spoke about how cycling changed his life for the better and the children received exclusive Rock Racing and Rock the Cure products and apparel.

A second Rock The Cure presentation will take place Friday in Solvang, Calif. About two dozen children will accompany Bahati for a VIP experience at the individual time trial and the Sheriff’s Activity League will receive a $10,000 donation.

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“It was not easy for me because the level off the race is very high and it’s been several years since I’ve ridden professionally,” Cipollini said. “CSC, Slipstream and High Road are riding this race like it’s the Tour de France. On the last climb, the attacks and forcing of the pace was incredible. I couldn’t do any better today, but I am hopeful I can do better tomorrow.”

Pena went on to finish 37th in the same time as Rodriguez and Ollerenshaw, while Cipollini was 86th. Teammate Michael Creed, who was questionable to even start the stage due to illness, battled through to finish 129th.

The Rock Racing team remains the only squad in the race with a less than eight-rider roster following the decision by race organizers to exclude 2004 Olympic time trial gold medalist Tyler Hamilton, past world time trial champion Santiago Botero and former Tour de France “best young rider” winner Oscar Sevilla.

With six stages remaining in the 650-mile race, Rock Racing is in 10th place in the team standings.

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