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Cooke 6th in Trofeo Alfredo Binda

Story posted March 29, 2010

Great Britain's Nicole Cooke was sixth in the opening round of the Women's World Road Cup in Italy last Sunday. The race, over a distance of 130 kilometres, was won for the second year in a row by Marianne Vos (Holland) who was the fastest in a sprint between nine riders.

Nicole climbing at speed during the race in her British Champion's jersey.  Photo by Davide Ronconi

Speaking afterwards, Britian's Nicole Cooke, the reigning Olympic Champion, explained "It was a very fast race with lots of attacks and breakaways from the start.  Fairly early on in the race, a leading group of about 16 riders formed after the Brinzio climb with all the favourites."

"Here, I was the lone GB rider and rode as best as I could to tactically give myself the best chance for the decisive part of the race. On the next four finishing circuits, there were attacks on the climbs and I was pleased to be able to respond and ride with the leaders each time. In the final sprint, I made a mistake going into the final corner and there was no way back to recover the lost distance as it was so close to the finish."

"The race though has given me confidence that after all the uncertainties and difficulties through the winter, I have been able to physically prepare well and can now build on this form for the forthcoming races. With a leading group of this quality and the speed we were doing at the front, the bunch was blown to pieces. After about half distance, the gaps were so big that fifty percent of the bunch were destined not to make the time limit."

"I was impressed that my young GB team mates gave their best even though most were unable to finish. It was a very good performance for girls who are so young and don’t as yet have that much experience in World Cups, to see them competing with others who have been racing for years.”

A group of champions, Olympic and British Champion Nicole Cooke along with eventual winner Vos, as well as the current world champion and Belgian champion. Photo by Davide Ronconi

Team GB before the start, Hannah Mayho, Lucy Martin, Ketie Colclough, Nicole Cooke, Emma Trott and manager Simon Cope. Photo: CJ Farquharson (PhotoSport International) 

Nicole Cooke taking in some Gatorade refreshment during the long race. Photo: CJ Farquharson (PhotoSport International) 

Emma Trott climbing during the race last Sunday. Photo: CJ Farquharson (PhotoSport International) 

Victory for former world road race champion Marrianne Vos of Holland. Nicole Cooke was sixth. Photo: CJ Farquharson (PhotoSport International) 

RESULT
1      Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands      3:27:37       
2     Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu            
3     Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team            
4     Ruth Corset (Aus) Australia            
5     Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC Columbia Women            
6     Nicole Cooke (GBr) Great Britain            
7     Elena Berlato (Ita) Top Girls Fassa Bortolo - Ghezzi            
8     Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC Columbia Women            
9     Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) Team Valdarno            
10     Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Russia     0:00:05      

Other Brits
14     Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team            @32
56     Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervelo Test Team            
62     Emma Trott (GBr) Great Britain            

DNF
Hannah Mayho (GBr) Great Britain            
Lucy Martin (GBr) Great Britain            
Katie Colclough (GBr) Great Britain            

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