Nicole secured her second World Cup title with a round to spare.
She added to her 2003 series success with a fourth place that ensured none of her rivals could overhaul her even with double points for the final round.
Speaking to her website, after the Rotterdam race, she said:
“I am absolutely thrilled to win the World Cup for the second time.”
“Although it’s the same title, it’s difficult to compare my two wins because each is special in a different way.”
“Winning this year means a lot to me because I had ground to make up from the early rounds. Disrupted preparations meant I only finished 8th in the first round In Australia and I crashed in the second round In New Zealand. I was then sixth in Flanders, but haven’t been out of the top 5 since and I’m very proud of that achievement.”
“This year’s title also means a lot to me because it’s not just my succes, but one earned by my team mates. They’ve worked hard for me, and though my personal ambition in the series has now be acheived we will all be working hard in the final round in Germany to ensure we secure team title ahead of ahead of Buitenport and T-Mobile.”
“It was a tough race today, with some of the fiercest cross winds I’ve known in competition, and though it would have been nice to win today the overall was far more important.”
Elite Women’s World Cup rankings
1. Nicole Cooke (GBr) Univega Pro Cycling Team 473 pts
2. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) T-Mobile Professional Cycling 311
3. Annette Beutler (Swi) Buitenpoort-Flexpoint Team 244
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Professional Cycling 236
5. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Buitenpoort-Flexpoint Team 221
6. Oenone Wood (Aus) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 170
7. Regina Schleicher (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 150
8. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 139
9. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) A.S. Team F.R.W 127
10. Zoulfia Zabirova (Kaz) Bigla Cycling Team 120
Team Standings
1. Univega Pro Cycling Team 807 pts
2. T-Mobile Professional Cycling 607
3. Buitenpoort-Flexpoint Team 582
4. Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 537
5. Bigla Cycling Team 366
6. AA-Drink Cycling Team 304
7. Nobili Rubinetterie Menikini Cogeas 266
8. Bianchi Aliverti Kookai 211
9. Italy 164
10. Elk Haus Nö 117
