Cipollini is set for a sensational return to cycling

The Gazzetta dello Sport website reported the sprinter will compete in the Tour of California next month.

Italian Cipollini, who retired in 2005, won the elite men's road race at the 2002 World Championships.

He also achieved a record 42 stage wins in the Giro d'Italia and 12 stage victories in the Tour de France.

Cipollini's first professional win came in 1989, and his last in 2005 - in all he claimed 191 victories.

Known for his flamboyance and colourful character, Cipollini finally retired in April 2005, one week before the start of that year's Giro.

In his last appearance he wore a special pink jersey listing the towns where he claimed each of his 189 career wins, and rode five minutes behind the last official rider.

Cipollini, whose nickname is Il Re Leone or The Lion King, was plagued by injury in his last year of competition and expressed regret at not being able to compete in one final Giro.