March

With winter training and some low key warm up's under her belt Nicole is now raring to go for the opening race on her 2008 calender - the Trofeo Alfreda Binda. Nicole won the race last year and in 2005, but this year it's been upgraded to be part of the World Cup series.

"It's a good race, and it deserves to be part of the World Cup. It's also a good starting point for me because it's not far from my home in Switzerland."

"This year I didn't race the opening World Cup event down under. The series isn't a goal for me in Olympic year, but it's always nice to get back to racing after training for several months. It's a good opportunity to see where I am as I build up towards peak form later in the year."

The Trofeo Alfreda Binda World Cup race is based around the lakes of Northern Italy. The course has been changed a little this year and is two laps of 34.1 km and 3 of 17.3 km. There are 7 climbs and a total distance of 120.1 km. The race takes place on Easter Monday, March 24th. Race website.

February

Nicole is ready for the new season, her seventh as a professional. She has been training both around her home in Lugano Switzerland and in Northern Italy. Her full racing schedule is yet to be finalised but check out her schedule as it stands at the moment, with a first race at the end of March.

2008 is an Olympic year and she'll be riding for a new team organised by British Cycling and sponsored by Halfords under their Bikehut brand, and will ride bikes from the new Chris Boardman range.

Nicole will lead the squad which features 10 women riders, and is delighted to have the Best of British backing her in the run up to Beijing. .“It’s absolutely fantastic. This will be the first ever British professional women’s team and I believe it’s the biggest step forward in women’s sport in this country for many, many years.”

Full details of January's team launch are available at British Cycling.