Nicole took the biggest Time Trial win of her career in Lausanne Switzerland. She was fastest over a tough 20km course for the prestigious Magali Pache TT, beating a high quality field of riders well known for their performances against the clock. It was Nicole's first TT success since becoming Junior World Time Trial Champion in 2001. Speaking to her website, she said after the race:
"I am so excited with this result. For the last few years it has been a roller-coaster ride with injuries, crashes and problems with teams failing to pay wages. At long last things seem to be settling out. I am with a superbly organised team, I am able to train properly and things are starting to go right."
"It was the first time I have ever ridden the event and the course was certainly very challenging. However, I went round yesterday with Thomas (manager) and Priska for a thorough review of the course."
" Today was also my first race on my new Raleigh-Univega Time Trial bike and it was superb. On the final climb to the finish I tried to pace myself properly. Normally I have someone alongside, to try and beat. Today I was on my own."
"In the past 5 years, I have been so busy trying to recover from this and that, I have never been able to sort myself out for a decent time trial. I have done some very useful training with Chris Boardman, which has been great but just when a big time trial has come up, I have had a crash or an injury, requiring surgery."
"It has been a very frustrating few years. I feel I have let down all those who have been trying to help me. Now, at long last, perhaps, there is going to be some reward for all the efforts for all those who have helped me."
Results - Magali Pache TT
1st. Nicole Cooke (GBr) - Univega Raleigh Lifeforce - 30m 43s
2nd. Priska Doppmann (Swi) - Univega Raleigh Lifeforce - @ 4"
3rd. Zoulfia Zabirova (Rus) - Bigla - @ 19"
4th. Edwige Pitel (Fra) - Bianchi Aliverti Kookai - @ 58"
5th. Oenone Wood (Aus) - Nurnberger Versicherung - @ 1'15"
Links: Nicole Cooke's Site
" & _
