COOKE MISSES OUT ON THIRD WORLD CUP WIN IN RONDE VAN DRENTHE
Nicole Cooke (Raleigh-Lifeforce) failed to win her third consecutive women?s World Cup event in Holland on Saturday but held on to her lead in the season-long competition despite finishing only seventh in the 136-km Ronde van Drenthe race.
Cooke was part of the decisive break that also included world champion Marianne Vos that formed on the last climb but it was another Dutch rider, track specialist Adrie Visser, who came out winner. She went across to the break and then made a late attack with France?s Elodie Touffet and then beat her in the sprint. The remains of the break were caught by the bunch at the line but Vos hung on for third place ahead of Ina Teutenberg (T-Mobile), while Cooke finished seventh.
It was 23 year-old Visser?s first World Cup win but she recently showed her talent on the track in Majorca by winning the bronze medal in the scratch race. Visser scored 75 points for her World Cup win but is still 96 points behind Cooke, who now has a total of 171 points.
Cooke will be determined to extend her lead even further in the Fleche-Wallonne race on April 25, a race she has already won three times.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
The British clothing brand unveils an almost unheard-of 25% discount across its entire product range
By Hannah Bussey Published