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Rund um die Nürnberger
Altstadt - World Cup |
10/09/06 |
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| Univega
Raleigh Lifeforce |
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As
is traditional in the Nürnberg round of the World Cup
the race came down to a sprint finish.
It almost didn't though on this occasion. With the pressure
off for Nicole, having already won the series, her Univega-Raleigh-Lifeforce
team mates had the licence to try and look for their own success.
They were the only team to put in any attacks, and Priska
Doppmann found herself away on her own for two laps.
Eventually a combine of Nürnberger, T Mobile and Italy
teams were able to claw her back, and they got their reward.
Nicole followed Judith Arndt's wheel for the final sprint,
but as the German came up short two of her country-women and
two Italians pipped Nicole to the line.
Nicole
keeps out of trouble as she corner on the city centre
circuit |
Nicole's 5th placed finish however
concluded a remarkable run of consistency in this year's competition.
Eight in the first race, followed by a crash in round two,
and then a 6th place in Flanders was followed by top five
placing in the 9 remaining rounds. Amongst those there were
3 wins and 2 second paces.
Double points on the final round saw today's runner
up Ina Teutenberg move up to second in the final standings,
with Annette Beutler also profiting to finish 3rd.
Nicole
(third left) safe in the pack surrounded by Univega
team mates |
Univega-Raleigh-Lifeforce were the overall Series
Team winners, and Nicole also won the TUI Cup, a special claissfication
of easons long German races, including the tour of Thüringen
in which she took 4 stages and the overall.
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"Today was
a day for enjoying ourselves, and whilst a win for the team
would have been nice, apart from that it's been a great
day right down to the weather."
"Nürnberg is an attractive town, shown off to
it's best in the sun today, and Priska in particular gave
it a good go to try and add to our post race celebrations!"
"As it was, it was a great pleasure, and honour, to
be on the podium three times. First to collect my second
World Cup Trophy, then as Series Team winners, but also
to collect a cheque for winning the TUI Cup, shared out
among the team as an added bonus for a great season."
"We then enjoyed a team meal
in one of Nürnberg's Spanish restaurants to round off
the day."
"The celebrations must stop now though, and we have
to focus on two more races for the season. With the World
Championship Time Trial in Salzburg a week on Wednesday
(20th September) and the Road Race 3 days later, every top
cyclist will be looking to peak for the season's finale,
and I know I will have to be at my very best to be compeitive
in Austria."
Nicole
receives the World Cup Series trophy |
(Full official results at www.uci.ch.
Additional photos can also be seen at www.womenscycling.net)
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| Individual
Final Standings |
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| Nicole
Cooke (GBr) |
1st
(Series Winner) |
| Univega
Raleigh Lifeforce |
473
points |
Univega-Raleigh-Lifeforce
2006 World Cup Series Team Winners |
| Univega
Raleigh Lifeforce |
1st |
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