Newsgroup: it.sport.ciclismo
Titolo: Nicole Cooke al Tour, da British Cycling

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/roa/News2006/20060629_Womens_TDF.asp
Tour of France for Women
Stage 5 L'Isle sur la Sorgue a Les Baux de Provence, 114.4km
The 23 year old Welsh rider Nicole Cooke stood on the top step of the 
podium for the Womens Tour de France for the first time at the end of 
the 'Grand  Boucle' in France. No British rider has ever been on the 
podium at the end of a Grande Tour in France let alone finishing first. 
The previous time Nicole rode this race in 2002, she had to withdraw 
through exhaustion which was natural given her age. However, this was a 
masterful return to what turned out to be a terrific edition of this 
famous race.
Today on stage 5, Cooke was 5th, but with the mark of being the true 
champion she is, the the yellow jersey was seen leading out domestique 
team mate, New Zealander Joanne Kiesanowski. This race was witness to a 
team effort that was every part equal to that which has enabled Lance 
Armstrong to win 7 times in the mens Tour. With a lead of 6 min 27 
seconds, it was unlikely that anything could happen to disturb the 
possibility of a great victory for Nicole. So masterful had been the 
display as she rode alone up to the summit of the Ventoux the day 
previous, it was thought impossible that anyone could challenge her. 
However Maryline Salvetat (France) was the challenger supreme. After 
just 30km, she again shook Nicole's tree.
In second place, she had the comfort of having gap of 7 minutes on the 
rider in third place rider but her aim was for all to see her ability. 
After the first attack today, the peloton was again, on this final day, 
lined out across the road. Not content with making her mark, she again 
attacked on a small climb. With responses from Nicole's team Univega, 
the pace was fast and tired legs saw many riders drift off the back of 
the group never to see it again until Les Baux de Provence. These riders 
had a long a lonely ride as the temperature soared to 44 ?C. Such is the 
life of a faithful domestique.
The speed remained high as the group, now just 30 riders strong, moved 
at pace over the hills towards the finishing circuit. That circuit 
featured a climb 2km in length which again provided the crowd and riders 
with opportunity to show their talents. Maryline Salvetat continued to 
try to break up the group and gain the victory of the stage but Team 
Univega were always at the ready to defend. Sometimes, it was Emma 
Rickards (Au), sometimes Sarah Grabb (Ch) and at other times Cooke 
herself who showed that no-one would escape from her on this day. The 
victory was to be saved for another in Team Univega.
In the final sprint to the line at Montrer le chemin de Lux, at the head 
of the peloton was the yellow jersey with Kiwi Kiesanowski riding 
behind. But Normandy rider Elisabeth Chevanne Brunel (Fr) was aware of 
the plan and moved swiftly to take a magnificent sprint from the New 
Zealand rider.
At 23, Cooke is very young to have won such a major race. Certainly it 
is hoped that this will be a new start for this great race. In 2004 
there was no edition but in 2005 the race was won by the Univega team 
and the Swiss rider Priska Doppman. It is said that Cooke was not due to 
ride La Grand Boucle but was set to ride a race in her native Wales 
called the Ras de Cymru where she was to ride against men only. Doppman 
became ill and the team management moved the British rider back to join 
her team in France. The race is graced by that decision to move Cooke to 
La Grand Boucle even if the men of Wales are left without their champion.
"I am so happy to race here in France. When I was young, I came and 
watched the Grand Boucle with my mother, father and brother. I dreamed 
of winning this race here in the sun on the mountains and in the grand 
scenery of France. Yesterday, riding up the Ventoux with the 
knowledgeable crowd cheering, was fantastic. It was a dream come true. I 
so much wanted to win and win alone. It will give me many happy 
memories. The organisation was good and of course, my teammates were 
fantastic. They worked for me to win every day. They worked very hard. 
Today I tried to pay Joanne back and we nearly made it but Elizabeth 
rode very hard up that last climb to win. Today when I stood on the 
podium, it was a very proud moment. I have enjoyed my race here in 
France a great deal."
Results
Stage 5 114.4km
1. Elisabeth Chevanne Brunel (Fr) 3.05.16
2. Joanne Kiesanowski (Nz) mt
5. Nicole Cooke Gbr mt
Overall
1. Nicole Cooke (Gbr) Univega Raleigh Lifeforce 13 hours 23min 42 sec
2. Maryline Salvetat (Fr) Grand Interregions Sud Ouest @ 6min 27 s
3. Tatsiana Sharakova (Rus) Usc Chirio @ 13min 25 sec
-- 
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 scenery of France.
I think it's far more a greater dream to win it against the creme of Europe,
instead of amatuers. This article is propaganda. If Cooke went back to the
Giro this year and won, I would of taken her seriously, but this is a one
sided victory. :-(
B-