Multi national championships, World titles and several big International wins in an already successful career, Nicole Cooke is proving that she is the finest road racing talent out there. This has been underlined in the past few days by her reaching the top of the UCI rankings and also leading the 2006 World Cup with three rounds remaining.
Speaking to her website Nicole said:
“As for the World Cup Series, I obviously have a commanding lead now, but it would be very wrong to think it will be easy now to regain the title. Altogether there are 300 points on offer for the winners of the remaining three rounds so we’ll all have to work flat out to maintain that advantage.”
“It means training hard over the next four weeks before the next round which is in Plouay a circuit I always enjoy riding.”
It’s all about winning then, as a quick glance at her Palmares shows. And let’s remember, for a moment, that Nicole is still just 23.
Latest UCI Women’s Rankings
1. Nicole Cooke (GBr) 955.33 pts
2. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) 936.33
3. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) 689
4. Oenone Wood (Aus) 641.5
5. Judith Arndt (Ger) 629.83
World Cup Series – Individual standings after 9 rounds of 12
1. Nicole Cooke (GBr) Univega Raleigh Lifeforce 354 points
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile 236 points
3. Susanne Ljunskog (Swe) Buitenport 197 points
4. Oenone Wood (Aus) Nurnberger Versicherung 170 points
5. Annette Beutler (Swi) Buitenport 166 points
Loads more pictures and news at her website: www.nicolecooke.com
