Mario Cipollini: "I risked dying"

"I risked dying." Mario Cipollini tells the drama he is experiencing after hospitalization in Ancona due to heart problems. According to press rumors, the former cycling champion suffered from stress due to the process in which he is accused of injury, abuse and stalking from the ex wife Sabrina Landucci. Instead, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Cipollini confessed to being affected by one disease of viral origin which can be fatal and for which there is no cure. "I have lymphocytic myocarditis – said the 'Lion King' -. Serious illness, which causes 20 percent of instant deaths at a young age. No joke and can lead to extreme consequences. The mother of a dear friend died from the after-effects of this disease ".

"There is no cure, only total rest"

"The doctors found that mine it is due to a virus. There is no cure, only total rest – added Cipollini -. I fill the days by reading. Study, I inform myself. I'm fine, but I feel a bit apathetic: I hope that in January I will be freed. I'm on a diet: nothing, or very few, carbohydrates ".

"As an athlete you think you are healthy, strong and perfect"

"As an athlete you think you are healthy, strong and perfect. Instead it is not so – the former cyclist continued -. I realized that something was wrong because when uphill I pushed 500 watts I felt like a limiter. I'm lucky because I have a great friend at my side and a great professional like Corsetti (the doctor Roberto Corsetti known at Liquigas, ed). It is almost maniacal to look for the problem and find the solution. I also thought about people who do not live a reality like mine. And also to the fact that in my career I have exasperated the heart so devastating and now I find out that I have genetic problems that have limited me ".