Mario Cipollini is recovering from a second surgery to correct a heart rhythm disorder, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Cipollini said the surgery was planned at a hospital in Ancona to check the effects of the first operation, which he underwent last October.

"The second surgery was planned for that purpose. Don't worry," Cipollini told La Gazzetta dello Sport, suggesting that he was still having heart problems before the second surgery.

"I felt weak. But compared to people who are really sick, I have nothing. After all, I only have one heart."

Cipollini revealed last November that he had serious heart problems and had to undergo surgery.

He underwent five hours of heart surgery in late October to treat a myocardial bridge (a condition in which the heart muscle grows around the coronary arteries and constricts blood flow).

He also underwent ablation of the right ventricle to resolve an irregular heartbeat, and a biopsy confirmed that he had a viral infection that affected his heart and caused myocarditis and inflammation of heart tissue.

After the second surgery, Cipollini took two weeks to recover and said he hoped to be able to ride his bike again by the end of March.

"Now I will be on absolute bed rest for two weeks and then I will be able to ride my bike again at the end of March," he said.