'Close season' for Nicole means winter training, but also a round of Awards dinners.

She has already attended Germany's Sport Presse Ball where she received an award and had the pleasure of dancing with Tour de France Stage Winner Jens Voight!

In December she'll be attending the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award at the Celtic Manor (Sunday 3rd), followed by the BBC National event in Birmingham a week later.

She's expected to be a contender for both trophies with voting on the night, details to follow. She's also been invited to a British Sport's Journalist dinner.

Nicole will continue to ride for the Univega team next year, with increased sponsorship roles for Raleigh and Lifeforce.

She'll be joined on the team by some extra British riders put forward by British Cycling with an eye to developing support for Nicole in future World Championships and the 2008 Olympics.

"I'm delighted to be staying with the team for next season", explained Nicole, "last year was really succesfully, the whole set up is very professional, and I'm very happy."

"It's been a fantastic year. My aims were very ambitious to win the World Cup series, but everyone in the team believed in it and committed to that."

"Raleigh have been providing the bikes and will take over the full bike sponsorship for next year. Then there's the Newport-based company Lifeforce which is also taking on a bigger role."

Nicole has also moved to the Ticino area of Southern Switzerland on the border with Italy. She's very enthusiastic about her new home In Lugano.

"It's a very central location for my team and for the races here in Europe, that was the most important part, and after living and racing in Italy for a number of years, Lugano still has that Italian influence. It has a very nice climate for cycling, beautiful hills and beautiful roads."

Nicole has been taking full advantage of the mountainous terrain and good weather to begin her 'winter' training!