The 35-year-old sprinter made the announcement on his official web site on Tuesday, saying he was not ready to give up professional cycling just yet.

"I have reconsidered the decision to retire. I think I can pedal for a while," said the man dubbed 'Super Mario' by his fans.

"There are some targets I still want to reach."

Among his goals for this autumn, Cipollini said he wanted to win stages in the Vuelta, which starts on 7 September, and in the World Championships at Zolder, in Belgium.

"I've always dreamed about winning a world champion's rainbow jersey," said Cipollini.

"The course (at Zolder) suits me. I have been dreaming of a world title since I was a child. I feel I can do it," he said.

In the longer term, Cipollini said he will be shooting for an all-time record of stage wins at Giro d'Italia in 2003.

"I also have some accounts to settle with the Tour de France," he added.

When he unexpectedly announced his retirement in July, Cipollini said he was upset that he not been invited to this year's Tour de France.

Cipollini is one short of Italian great Alfredo Binda's record haul of 41 Giro stage wins.

In 1999, he became the first rider since 1948 to capture three consecutive stages of the Tour de France.

Prior to his Tour de France disappointment, Cipollini was enjoying one of his best seasons, taking six stages of the Giro and winning the Milan-San Remo classic.