World champion Mario Cipollini edged Australian Robbie McEwen in a close sprint on Monday to clinch his second straight stage victory in the Giro d'Italia and set an all-time record of 42 stage wins in the Italian cycling race.

　　The 36-year-old captain of the Domina Vacanze team won the ninth stage of the Giro a day after equaling Alfredo Binda's 70-year-old 41 stage wins mark and on the same day he was refused a wild card for starting in the 2003 Tour de France.

　　Tour director Jean-Marie Leblanc said in Paris that Cipol-lini and his Domina Vacanze teammates were excluded because they weren't expected to be consistent throughout the French event.

　　"It's an unbelievable decision ... I don't think it possible that French organizers can leave the world champion out of the Tour," Cipollini said later.

　　Cipollini fought off a strong comeback of the Australian cyclist in the final meters of a 160-kilometer leg from Arezzo to Montecatini Terme, in the Tuscan region. Italy's Stefano Garzelli retained the pink jersey of overall leader, with a 31-second lead over second-place Gilberto Simoni and 54 seconds over third-place Andrea Noe.

　　Cipollini's career record improved to 185 in 15 years as a professional.

　　Cipollini, who completed the stage in three hours, 41 minutes, 58 seconds, said Leblanc's decision spoiled one of his greatest days.

　　"For the third year in a row they are leaving me home. It's an unfair decision that I can't understand ... I had been dreaming to win a stage at the Tour while wearing the jersey of world champion. I think the UIC (the International Cycling Union) should obtain the automatic inclusion of the world champion in the Tour," Cipollini told television interviewers.

　　"Many French cycling fans for sure know who's Cipollini, while they hardly know the names of most French cyclists invited to the Tour," he said.

　　McEwen, twice second to Cipollini in two days following a stage win at Vibo Valentia last Tuesday, said the decision of French organizers "is unfair and certainly hurts cycling."

　　"I would not be surprised if Mario gets the invitation next week," the Australian champion said. Cipollini countered "at this point I would not accept to go."