Cipollini pulls out of Tour Down Under

Italian cycling legend Mario Cipollini has pulled out of a guest appearance at Adelaide's Tour Down Under.

The Tour had announced in November that Cipollini would be a special guest of the race.

Cipollini was to speak at the Tour dinner and also to take part in the event's community ride.

But the Tour has announced that Cipollini will not appear because of personal reasons.

Fellow Italian sprinter Elia Viviani, who is racing in the January 13-20 Tour, and Australian cycling stars Mat Hayman and Amanda Spratt will be the special guests at the Legends' Night Dinner.

Cipollini, 51, is one of cycling's all-time great competitors, winning the 2002 world road title as well as 12 Tour de France stages.

He is equally well-known because of his flamboyant personality and one of his nicknames is The Lion King.

In November, a report in the Italian media said Cipollin would face trial later this year for an alleged assault.

Previous guests of the Tour Down Under have included cycling luminaries such as Chris Hoy, Greg LeMond, Miguel Indurain and Bernard Hinault.