30/06/03 Nicole won't be riding the Tour of Italy this year.

The race had been part of her original schedule, and it would have been the first time she'd ridden a long tour.

However as she explains several things have changed.

"The Giro was one of my targets, but the World Cup Series has been going much better than we originally expected so that is one of my two main aims now for the season."

"Also the crash I had in Canada has afffected my form. 10 days without training left me a level below where I should be so it would be hard to be as competitive as I would wish to be riding for an Italian team in the Italian National Tour."

"Much more important is that I target my training over the next month and a half to ensure I'm in perfect shape for the next round of the World Cup in Plouay on August 23rd."

The Giro starts next weekend, but Nicole will stay in Wales longer than planned to begin her preparations for the European Under 23 Championships and the the 7th race of 9 in the World Cup Series. She'll then return to her base in North East Italy to step up her trainingand ensure she's in peak form in August.

She will also be adding some additional races to her schedule as she fine tunes her preparation. We will bring you news of any additions to the schedule as soon as they are finalised.

29/06/03 Following Nicole's succesful defence of her British title, we now have over a dozen photos of a succesful day at the Celtic Manor Resort, with more to follow.

click the images above to vist the gallery.

28/06/03 Nicole has won the British Road Race title for the fouth time in 5 years. She won by 8 seconds from Rachel Heal, and also took the Under 23 title.

Full report, results, thoughts, photos.

28/06/03 Nicole defends her British Road Race title today. For the first time we are aiming to bring you regulalrly updated coverage of the race, including weather details, pre race interview, race action, as well as results as soon as possible.

Follow the race here

26/06/03 How tough is this weekend's course? Exactly where is it? Where are the best places to watch? What does Nicole think of the course?

Find out here

26/06/03 Following Nicole's crash in Montreal and subsequent lay off she has slipped out of the top ten of the UCI world rankings. She is now eleventh.

Full rankings

26/06/03 Three of Nicole's Acca Due O/Ausra Gruodis team mates finished in the top ten of the Italian Women's Road Race Championship.

Katia Longhin was third, Georgia Bronzini seventh, and Noemi Cantele ninth. The race was won by Alessandra Cappellotto of Team Valenti.

Eight riders though were not allowed to start because of health checks. See other news

25/06/03 Hopefully many of Nicole's UK based fans will be able to visit South Wales to enjoy Saturday's British Road Race Championship.

A guide to the course will be on the site later on Thursday.

Meanwhile loking further ahead you may wish to watch the next round of the World Cup in North West France.

If you do then there are some details of getting there kindly supplied by Steve Wiltshire in a message in the supportcentre .

24/06/03 Nicole has arrived back n the UK ahead of Saturdays defence of the British Road Race Championship.She has won the race three times in the last four years.

We'll have details of the course and Nicole's thoughts later in the week.

22/06/03 In only her second day of racing after her injury lay off Nicole showed what she's made of on day two of Giro de Trentino.

She was part of a breakaway that lasted for 50k, but wich was caught just two kilometres from the finish.

"It's disappointing when you work so hard to just miss out, but it was certainly a good hard way to get back my racing legs."

More of Nicole's thoughts, photos and race details

21/06/03 Nicole has crashed again in her first race back after recovering from injuries sustained in Le Tour de Grande Montreal.

She came down 50 kilometeres from the end of day one of the Giro de Trentino, suffering substaantal grazing. However she was able to continue and complete the stage.

More details

20/06/03 Nicole returns to racing this weekend, 17 days after her crash in Canada.

A brief visit to a specialist on her return to Italy confirmed all's well with her left knee.

"I didn't even need scans" explains Nicole. "I visited him as soon as I got back to Italy and he just did a few simple movement tests. He said the wound had healed really well."

Nicole went for a short ride with her team mates shortly after seeing the specialist and did a hard session on Thursday ready for this weekends racing in Trentino.

"It was a four day race before, but it's just two days this year. The first day (Saturday) will be really hard, there are lots of climbs.We didn't ride this route last year so I don't know quite what to expect."

"Sunday's stage we did ride before. There are climbs at the start, but after that it's fairly rolling so there could be a breakaway."

"I'm not aiming to win this weekend. It's just a case of getting back some race legs and seeing how I'm going before the British Championships next weekend."

Reports, Nicole's verdict and pictures to come as soon as possible after the racing on both days.

18/06/03 Nicole has flown back to Italy this morning (Wednesday), having spent 11 days at home in Wales recovering from her recent crash.

Her first engagement back in Italy will be a visit to a specialist this afternoon.

"I rode twice yesterday, and had no pain in my knee at all. The visit to the specialist is just a precaution to make sure everything is as it should be."

Nicole will have three days riding in Italy before returning to race action.

"I'll want to be up there in Trentino this week, but I know that I should just take it steady and use it as part of my progression back to fitness. I feel good but it will be interesting to see if the other girls have progressed whilst I've been out."

After the two days of racing in Trentino Nicole will be returning to the United Kingdom the following week to defend her British Road Race title on June 28th.

16/06/03 On Sunday (15th June) Nicole swapped her bike for the outside broadcast vehicle as she became a reporter for the day.

She provided reports for BBC Wales on the Five Valleys Road Race in South Wales. The race was the latest round of the Premier Calendar, the National series for British men.

Click for larger image of Nicole reporting on the Five Valleys Road Race.

"I was a bit nervous before hand, but I really enjoyed it." said Nicole who gave radio updates on the race and afterwards interviewed race winner Mark Lovatt.

"Mark rode well and with team mate John Tanner (3rd) there at the end as well they had an advantage over Malcolm Elliot (2nd)."

"It was certainly different to see racing from another angle, and I'd forgotten how beautiful this area is. You don't always apreciate that when you're racing!"

"I'd love to do some more reporting in the future, though obviously I don't get much time, so I don't know when."

BBC Wales were very happy with her reports, but won't be able to use her expertise for the next big race in Wales. She'll be otherwise occupied for the British Women's Road Race on June 28th, having confirmed to listeners of her reporting debut that she would be fit to defend her title.

14/06/03 Nicole put in her first substantial ride since her accident today (Saturday), riding for two and a half hours

Although it was at a steady pace it did include some of the climbs around her home in South Wales where she first developed her race winning ablities.

Even better news is that for much of the ride there was no discomfort in her left knee which still bears the scar from the cut and seven stitches.

She returns to Italy to step up her training this week before returning to racing in Trentino next weekend.

12/06/03 Nicole had the six external stitches in her left knee removed as planned on Thursday. She also rode her bike for the first time since the crash in Canada 10 days earlier left her with a deep gash in her knee.

"The stitches came out easily, and the skin has healed well", reports Nicole. "The seventh stitch was internal so will either disolve or work it's way to the surface!"

"I rode for just over an hour today, not fast. There's no problem bending my knee, but there is a pain just below the scar as I pedal so I'll take it carefully for now."

Nicole will continue to ease her way back into training over the weekend before returning to Italy at the start of next week. She then hopes to race in Trentino the following weekend before returning home to defend her British title on June 28th.

12/06/03 10 days after her crash Nicole will have the stitches taken out of her knee today (Thursday) and will ride her bike for the first time since the collision in Le Tour du Grande Montreal.

"I'll be taking it easy for the first three days. I'll see it how it goes on Thursday and Friday and then maybe do some hills on Saturday."

"I'll be taking it carefully though because I don't want to set myself back. I won't be doing stretches. I haven't fully bent my knee yet, and I probably won't for another week."

"It's getting much better, and so is my arm though there is still some swelling and bruising around the elbow."

09/06/03 As defending Champion Nicole was the main attraction at the official launch of the 2003 British Road Race Championships.

Whilst several Talent ID stars, and some of the leading Welshmen were also present, it was Nicole who was the focus of much media attention.

After a brief introduction at 11.30 the round of TV, Radio and Newspaper interviews went on until almost four o'clock!

As well as recorded interviews with 3 TV crews, three radio interviewers, and a clutch of newspaper reporters, she also appeared live on the Simon Mayo programme on BBC Radio Five Live.

Nicole was quite happy though. "The fact that I'm off my bike at the moment is a good thing, and I appreciate the interest. I'm also happy to promote the Championships and Cycling in Wales."

"With myself and Julian (Winn) the defending Champions I'm sure we'll get tremendous support. The facilities laid on by the Celtic Manor Resort are superb, and the course itself will be really hard. That will suit me.

"I know the roads well enough which should be an advantage, and I'm really motivated to win the race."

"It's a great honour to ride in your National Jersey in races throughout the year. So although it may not be the main aim of the season, there's absolutely no doubt I'm out to win it."

"An awful lot of hardwork has been put into the organisation, and there are charity rides alongside the main events, so it should be a fantastic weekend for everyone."

The women's race is on Saturday June 28th, with the men's race the following day. We'll have more details of the course over the next few weeks.

06/06/03 Nicole is making good progress following her crash in Le Tour du Grande Montreal. She's hoping to have the stitches out of her left knee a week today (Friday) so that she can resume training.

Currently she's able to walk on flat ground without too much problem, but it remains difficult to bend her knee which makes climbing stairs difficult.

Her left arm is still very swollen around the inside of the elbow with very deep bruising.
She is unable to move her arm and wrist through the full range of motion, but it's getting better day by day.

06/06/03 What's it like following a race by car, instead of being in the thick of the action on a bike?

Nicole found out the day after her crash in Le Tour du Grande Montreal. Read her thoughts from the passengers seat on stage four.

05/06/03 Nicole is still trying to peice together exactly what happened on Tuesday when she hit a motorbike and crashed out of Le Tour de Grande Montreal. At the time time she couldn't recall very much, though others have been telling her their recollecton of events.

"One of the American riders came and spoke to me this morning and said that she thought she was the rider in front of me, and she was sorry about the crash. She only saw the motorbike at the last moment and then heard me go into it!"

"My team mate Katia Longhin says she was following my wheel and landed on top of me! She got my bike off me, straightened out my leg, which she said looked horrible, checked I was ok to be left and then continued!"

"Personally I still don't remember any of it other than catching a brief glimpse of the motorbike and then being on the ground in agony!"

05/06/03 Nicole was a spectator for the final stage of Le Tour de Grande Montreal won by team mate Diana Ziliute, as Acca Due O/Ausra Gruodis placed four in the top six. The race overall was one by American Amber Neben. Results,Report

Nicole is already feeling much better after her crash, athough she has very bad bruising not only on her left arm and leg but across her back.

We'll keep you updated on her progress over the next few days as she returns to the Uk for a brief visit home.

04/06/03 This is the bike Nicole was riding when she crashed yesterday. Click on the picture to get a closer look at the damage.


The fact that Nicole walked away relatively uninjured from the crash isn't the only amazing thing about this story.

The bike is in fact Nicole's spare mount. She changed onto the spare bike just before the start of the third stage of Le Tour du Grande Montreal because her race bike's chain was jumping in all the gears.

Therefore Nicole's race bike is untouched and the spare bike who's position was not exactly spot on is trashed. Some people are just made lucky!

04/06/03 There's been some concern about Nicole after reports on cyclingnews.com that she'd broken her collarbone.

Here on NicoleCooke.com we're pleased to confirm that in line with our original report Nicole has most definitely NOT broken any bones.

Hear Nicole on the crash and the future. (BBC) Need Real Audio? click here

Click here for a larger view of the picture

Coming soon a picture of Nicole's bike which was completely wrecked in the crash.

We're just glad Nicole is in one piece and she would like to thank those of you who've passed on get well messages.

04/06/03 Nicole crashed on stage three of Le Tour de Grande Montreal.

Report, Results

She was taken to hospital after a hitting a motorbike at 40 km/h, but X Rays showed no break to her arm. She has however had six stitches across her knee and will be off the bike for ten days.

"We were riding along in a line with about 25 kilometres to go. Two riders in front of me just missed this huge motorbike on the side of the road, but I couldn't avoid it."

"I went down and several riders piled on top of me. My bike was in pieces, the top tube and down tube both broke and it was just held together by the gear cables."

"My arm was hurting so much, I thought it was broken. The X rays though show it's just bruised where it hit the motorbike. I 've had one internal stitch and six external ones."

"There's a line of them across my knee which have to stay in for ten days."

"The good thing is the timing. I could be back for Trentino on the 19th, and I shouldn't miss any of my main goals for the season, although it depends how it goes how fit I can be for the Britsh Champs on the 28th."

Ironically Nicole's last major crash also came in Canada two years ago. Then she came down in the middle of the bunch at the GP Quebec. On that occasion despite cuts and bruises she was able to get up and continue.

Magalie Le Floch won todays stage in Montreal, with Amber Neben taking the overall lead.

03/06/03 Nicole finished 2nd in the second stage on day one of Le Tour du Grande Montreal.

The evening Criterium proved succesful for Accadue O/Ausra Gruodis.

" I love crit racing. This is why I do cycling."

More details, results, thoughts and photos here

Nicole has moved up to 16th overall, 16" behind leader Geneviève Jeanson, and is third in the points competition.

02/06/03 Nicole finished 27th in the opening 3.5 km time trial in Le Tour du Grande Montreal.

She was 20 seconds down on Quebecois favourite Geneviève Jeanson.

More details, results, thoughts and photos here

The short opening effort individual trial is the first of two stages on the opening day. The second is an evening criterium.

We'll bring you details of stage two from Canada as soon as possible.

02/06/03 Nicole has risen into the World top ten for the first time. Her victory in Montreal not only kept her top of the World Cup Series standings but moved her up three places to 9th in the world rankings.

The rankings are done on a rolling basis and it's been a steady progression up the rankings for Nicole since she started at the bottom as a new rider less than 18 months ago. At twenty she's the youngest rider in the top 10 by several years.

See the full rankings here. News of the mens rankings in our other news section.

02/06/03 After one day off to savour her latest World Cup success, Nicole retruns to racing today with the four stage "Tour du Grande Montreal".

"I felt really good during the race, and afterwards my legs were fine. In fact the masseur couldn't beleive how little lactic acid was in them. I certainly won't be carrying any tiredness into the three day race."

The first day starts with two stages, a short time trial and an evening criterium.

We'll bring you daily updates of the event which finishes on Thursday. Nicole will then make a lightening stop off in Wales to promote the British Championships before returning to Italy.

02/06/03 "With three more events to come anything can happen...I don't want to get carried away with myself, but at the moment my prospects are looking good"

Hear Nicole's verdict on Montreal and her World Cup series chances. (BBC) Need Real Audio? click here