After the end of stage 6 we made our way to the team buses. There wasn't a bus for Rock Racing, just a Cadillac
Escalade. You didn't have to speak Italian to see that when Mario
Cipollini rode up he seemed a bit upset that there wasn't a bus. The
Escalade was swarmed by fans, me included to get a glimpse of him. I thought I wouldn't get a chance to have my picture autographed, by just before the
Escalade drove away, Mario rolled the window down and reached for my picture and autographed it!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBU0-NOgFpWqtCDdC8hZT_cINI21LVZCKFIPOQT7do6DogXYRkpLbjvsoMprj4eVz0E2GL1bDAGktNNYhnpoMj7n5Apzpg0wFklhwjsfTBF61szKavrLqVpsTLiygP9eGRQpiTSDpHms/s320/Picture+331.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX5e3BSeCGoZG3KdDF1RRyFKRisUv8jWkkTf9bmD3KCuY8JAaUlDj6BoMz8XjPtyIpdvoGIDQWLfJtU_ocC6yE-_FrI_EfsMWuIfseTRMUJpdwEjplTFlQzsq5aTeFoHIXLTk-IHb4MQ/s320/Picture+338.jpg)
Mario was banged up from his crash.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmOm4pN0BVDk6oqhWyhElXPYoQt8GvNjXxD_4eaYWM8nauqquMaIZuEh9FLDn_G8AnjTJObIqQAPkKKfXoQPhsZqijX-YDDak5LQejQfKFNluuUvCIKmatgBqUaQfiIH3GlTyv_PU8jc/s320/Picture+360.jpg)
Mario autographing my picture.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbZ3Q127s6Atelu0xcQC0igJsiZ022fPUgB3mIhLvYXX_Q5syuQ6PzRjGNYx52ood7ZUm-eZz4mV-ltsfVs8MPOirdUt2QlsPmKLTD4_U_2cCPIjEMqWgJjadbKZpicvN43URtG0kbtA/s320/Picture+368.jpg)
Mission
accomplished! I'm so happy!