| Nicole secured her second
World Cup title with a round to spare.
She added to her 2003 series success with a fourth place
that ensured none of her rivals could overhaul her even
with double points for the final round.
3rd placed Susanne Ljunskog wasn't on the startline, leaving
only Judith Arndt as a challenger to Nicole's overall victory.
A feature of the 2006 series has been the strength of the
Univega-Raleigh-Lifeforce team, and on a tough windy circuit
Nicole was joined by 3 team mates in a break of 17.
Arndt was missing from that initial selection, but was later
able to bridge the gap with a small group of chasers. Univega-Raleigh-Lifeforce
then launched a series of attacks in the closing stages to
take the sting out of their rivals. First Priska Doppman,
then Düster, Joanne Kiesanowski, and Nicole herself.
At the finale Nicole's early sprint was enough to see Arndt
sit up a beaten rider, but not to stop Ina Teutenberg winning
her second World Cup race of the year, moving the German
up into the top 5.
Although Nicole was edged off the podium, her principle
aim was acheived, and after two frustrating years of knee
injuries and operations she regained the title she won 3
years ago.
Nicole and
team mate Sarah Düster react to an attack by
Judith Arndt |
Then she was the youngest ever winner of the race, and the
first Briton. She now joins an elite group of riders to win
the title twice.
Nicole will now look to the final round in Nurnburg to
ensure that Univega-Raleigh-Lifeforce maintain their lead
an win the team title. |
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