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Nicole Cooke: Interview
Nicole, still smiling despite the stitches in her knee, poses for the photographers at the Celtic Manor Resort while the Welsh team pass by behind her. In 2003, Nicole Cooke has taken the cycling and sports world by storm as she continues that upward climb to being the best in the world and her goal of winning an Olympic Gold medal. This year, superlatives fail to describe a young woman who at 20 leads the UCI Women's World Road Cup in only her 2nd year as a senior (she was Commonwealth Games champion in her first) . In the last three World Cup races, she has won two and was 2nd in the other which is an astounding performance but Nicole is far from satisfied and is hungry for more success. And that includes going for yet another British Cycling Womens National Road Race title. Nicole has already won three. In her last event, a stage race in Montreal Canada, Nicole crashed
out of the event, falling heavily and having her knee cut by her bike
after it broke when she hit a stationary motorbike. The cut was so deep,
that the doctor said she would have to have it stitched which has meant
that Nicole has had to have time off her bike and because of the stitches
she doesn't expect to be on the bike until Thursday when she'll attempt
an easy ride. Talking about how this may affect her preparation in defending
her title, she said "I'm actually quite pleased with how my knee is going. It's not giving me too much hassle and I'm able to bend it but I still haven't done a full knee stretch on a bike yet. It does mean that I will be having more of a longer rest than I expected. I was hoping to have maybe four or five days easy and then this weekend just past, be cycling again". "So it has given me some extra time off the bike but I don't think it should effect me too much because I was in good form when it happened and it shouldn't take that long to get my form back to be honest. I don't thing its drastically bad because I think with a bit of good training in the next two and half weeks, I'll be able to get myself into good shape for the British champs. Its also happened at a time where I'll have plenty of time to get ready for the next World Cup event in August". Prior to the National's in three weeks, Nicole only has one more race planned, and that's a two day event, the Giro de Trentino, on the 21st and 22nd of June. It's a hilly event as well which will prepare her nicely for what is to come in the Celtic Manor Title event. Talking about the course, Nicole says "I'm really delighted with the course. I haven't ridden it, but from the description that Bill has given us, and when they say it's a hard hill in Wales, you know it's a hard hill! And it's a really good finish as well. I'm really happy with the course" As for opponents, last year it was Nicole and Rachel Heal who got away towards the end with Nicole dropping Rachel in the closing miles to win alone. Asked who she feels will be her rivals for the title, besides Rachel Heal, Nicole explained "I think the rest of the British Team have moved up a level and should be competitive as well. I should imagine Frances Newstead will do a good ride and maybe some of the others will pull something out of the bag but in my opinion, Rachel is going to be my nearest rival. In the World cups, after me, she has been the second best performing Briton." World Cups "When we went to the Prima Rosa, the team said if you do well, you have got a good chance of the overall because there isn't anyone that stands out this year as being an all rounder like you. So you have got a good chance. It didn't though go to well in those races. In Spain I had the legs but not the result at the end of the race. So to get it in the end is fantastic and now its one of my main priorities of the year. I'm happy with the progress I have made, I am now in the top league." As for other goals, Nicole explained that "at the end of the year, we're now going for the World Cup races, and then there is also the European Under 23 Championships which are important being on the course used for the Olympics in Athens. So the actual race I want to do well in but also to learn for next year and the Olympics which is the my ultimate goal." To finish then, I asked how much of a lottery (or a certainty) she thought the Olympics would be for her having managed to win two World Cups and finish 2nd in another, showing that someone with her talent is hard to beat no matter how many riders are taking part. "Its going to be a lot harder and won't come easy. I think with the World Cup, riders are able to choose which world cups they want to target depending on their ability whereas with the Olympics there is only one race every four years and all the top riders in the world are going to prepare for that race and no-one's going to go there and put in a half hearted effort so its going to be a really hard event with probably more competition than even the World Championships. With the Olympics, its all or nothing so everyone's s going to be going for it so I'm just going to have to get myself in the best shape I can.
Nicole being interviewed on TV at the launch of the National Road Race championships at the Celtic Manor Resort. Just one of many interview she was asked to do over the space of two hours or more. NICOLE'S WEBSITE: For the latest news and views from this incrediable young lady, go to her equally stunning website with pictures, interviews, latest news and results and more ... Go There COMING SOON ON BRITISHCYCLING.ORG.UK:
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