 |
|
|
| Univega
Raleigh Lifeforce |
30m
43s |
| Univega
Raleigh Lifeforce |
@
4" |
Bianchi
Aliverti Kookai
|
@
58" |
Nurnberger
Versicherung
|
@
1'15" |
|
|
|
Nicole took the biggest
Time Trail 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.
Univega Raleigh Lifeforce team mate Priska
Doppmann finished second.
The race was run off to coincide with the final stage of the
men's Tour of Romandie, and featured several severe climbs
and very tricky descents.
Amongst the field was former Olympic Time Trial Champion Zoulfia
Zabirova, winner of the Berne World Cup race a week earlier.
Also featured were four of the Australians who took 5 out
of the 6 medals on offer in the Road Race and Time Trail at
the Commonwealth Games. Melbourne TT Gold Medalist Oenone
Wood was the leading Australian here win fifth over a minute
down, whilst Commonwealth Games Road Race winner Natalie Bates
was 1 min 45 back.
Nicole missed the Time Trial in Melbourne after her preparations
were disrupted by an injury which meant she concentrated on
only the Road Race where she won bronze. This result certainly
makes you wonder what medal she would have won at the Commonwealth
Games if she'd also been able to ride the 'race of truth'.
Nicole with
Andy Walser, builder of her new race winning time trial
bike |
|
|
"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." |
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