Nicole Cooke is determined to ride next round of World Cup on Sunday

Nicole Cooke 23, the recent winner of the Grande Boucle (the women’s Tour de France), and current World number 1 crashed out of the 6 day Holland Ladies Tour, suffering multiple cuts and abrasions. She failed to finish the stage and is out of the race.

The crash happened in rain on a narrow corner during this week’s Holland Expert Ladies Tour (A stage race on the Women’s circuit between stages of the World Cup). “I was well placed as we approached a corner but the girl in front of me came down and there was nowhere for me to go. About 10 of us all came down at once.” The race was moving at full speed and both Cooke’s bike frame and helmet were smashed in the crash. She suffered bruising and cuts.

Asked whether it would prevent her from riding the World Cup on Sunday, Cooke stated. “I was disappointed not to be able to finish the stage today but my bike was in two pieces and the medics were worried about the blood coming from the deeper of the cuts on my arm. I hurt a bit at the moment but I will have another bike for Sunday. I am in the lead in the World cup and it will be for the other riders to take points off me. I will be there.”

This weekend is round 11 out of 12 of the World Cup series, it’s the Lowland International Rotterdam Tour and Cooke was hoping to be able to wrap up the series there. Last weekend in France she extended her lead to a significant 153 points. With 75 points for the win but double points on the last round, if Cooke can make sure she finishes ahead of her principal rivals it would all be completed and Cooke would have regained the World crown she took in 2003.

Race results and reports after the weekend on www.SheCycles.com