Womens Tour de France 2006

 

France, June 27-July 1, 2006

 

 

Tour of France for Women  

Written by Georges Cheffant

 

Stage 5 L'Isle sur la Sorgue a Les Baux de Provence, 114.4km
The 23 year old Welsh rider Nicole Cooke stood on the top step of the podium for the Womens Tour de France for the first time at the end of the 'Grand  Boucle' in France. No British rider has ever been on the podium at the end of a Grande Tour in France let alone finishing first. The previous time Nicole rode this race in 2002, she had to withdraw through exhaustion which was natural given her age. However, this was a masterful return to what turned out to be a terrific edition of this famous race.

Today on stage 5, Cooke was 5th, but with the mark of being the true champion she is, the the yellow jersey was seen leading out domestique team mate, New Zealander Joanne Kiesanowski. This race was witness to a team effort that was every part equal to that which has enabled Lance Armstrong to win 7 times in the mens Tour. With a lead of 6 min 27 seconds, it was unlikely that anything could happen to disturb the possibility of a great victory for Nicole. So masterful had been the display as she rode alone up to the summit of the Ventoux the day previous, it was thought impossible that anyone could challenge her. However Maryline Salvetat (France) was the challenger supreme. After just 30km, she again shook Nicole's tree.

In second place, she had the comfort of having gap of 7 minutes on the rider in third place rider but her aim was for all to see her ability. After the first attack today, the peloton was again, on this final day, lined out across the road. Not content with making her mark, she again attacked on a small climb. With responses from Nicole's team Univega, the pace was fast and tired legs saw many riders drift off the back of the group never to see it again until Les Baux de Provence. These riders had a long a lonely ride as the temperature soared to 44 ?C. Such is the life of a faithful domestique.

The speed remained high as the group, now just 30 riders strong, moved at pace over the hills towards the finishing circuit. That circuit featured a climb 2km in length which again provided the crowd and riders with opportunity to show their talents. Maryline Salvetat continued to try to break up the group and gain the victory of the stage but Team Univega were always at the ready to defend. Sometimes, it was Emma Rickards (Au), sometimes Sarah Grabb (Ch) and at other times Cooke herself who showed that no-one would escape from her on this day. The victory was to be saved for another in Team Univega.

In the final sprint to the line at Montrer le chemin de Lux, at the head of the peloton was the yellow jersey with Kiwi Kiesanowski riding behind. But Normandy rider Elisabeth Chevanne Brunel (Fr) was aware of the plan and moved swiftly to take a magnificent sprint from the New Zealand rider.

At 23, Cooke is very young to have won such a major race. Certainly it is hoped that this will be a new start for this great race. In 2004 there was no edition but in 2005 the race was won by the Univega team and the Swiss rider Priska Doppman. It is said that Cooke was not due to ride La Grand Boucle but was set to ride a race in her native Wales called the Ras de Cymru where she was to ride against men only. Doppman became ill and the team management moved the British rider back to join her team in France. The race is graced by that decision to move Cooke to La Grand Boucle even if the men of Wales are left without their champion.

"I am so happy to race here in France. When I was young, I came and watched the Grand Boucle with my mother, father and brother. I dreamed of winning this race here in the sun on the mountains and in the grand scenery of France. Yesterday, riding up the Ventoux with the knowledgeable crowd cheering, was fantastic. It was a dream come true. I so much wanted to win and win alone. It will give me many happy memories. The organisation was good and of course, my teammates were fantastic. They worked for me to win every day. They worked very hard. Today I tried to pay Joanne back and we nearly made it but Elizabeth rode very hard up that last climb to win. Today when I stood on the podium, it was a very proud moment. I have enjoyed my race here in France a great deal."

Results
Stage 5 114.4km
1. Elisabeth Chevanne Brunel (Fr) 3.05.16
2. Joanne Kiesanowski (Nz) mt
5. Nicole Cooke Gbr mt

Overall
1. Nicole Cooke (Gbr) Univega Raleigh Lifeforce 13 hours 23min 42 sec
2. Maryline Salvetat (Fr) Grand Interregions Sud Ouest @ 6min 27 s
3. Tatsiana Sharakova (Rus) Usc Chirio @ 13min 25 sec

 

VENTOUX VICTORY

British Champion Nicole Cooke continues to lead the Womens 'Tour de France' after claiming victory in Friday's mountainous fourth stage. The 23-year-old won the 115km stretch from Valreas to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, featuring the tough Mont Ventoux climb.  Cooke headed into the Friday's section with a 56-second lead over her nearest rival Nikki Egyed.

 

PREVIOUSLY:

Nicole Cooke made a winning start to the Womens Tour de France, finishing fastest in the opening time trial on Tuesday. The British Road Race champion then went on to finish 6th and 2nd in the next two stages on Wednesday to keep her overall lead in the race.

 

The race has three more stages before the finish and Nicole is on course to be the first British woman to win the race and add another Women's grand Tour to her list which includes the Tour of Italy. You can follow her fortunes on Nicole's website, Nicole Cooke.com

 

Race Website: http://www.velo-feminin.com/

 

Nicole's Website: http://www.nicolecooke.com/2006/races/boucle.html