Newsgroup: it.sport.ciclismo
Titolo: Nicole is top of the world

WELSH cycling queen Nicole Cooke has claimed another first in her 
amazing career by climbing to the top of the world rankings.
Though current World Cup leader Cooke (pictured) has achieved so much in 
the sport at the tender age of 23, it is the first time the Wick wonder 
has been at the summit of the UCI world rankings.
No British rider, male or female, has made the top 20 of these 
classifications prior to Cooke.
There is not a single British male rider listed in the 166 men who have 
gained points on the Men's Pro Tour.
Cooke's move up the standings comes after she tightened her grip on the 
World Cup series at the weekend, her Univega-Raleigh team's victory at a 
time trial event in Denmark extending her overall lead to 118 points.
"It's great to get the No1 position," admitted Cooke, currently resting 
at her team's Switzerland base after an arduous month.
"It wasn't my No 1 target at the start of the season because that was 
the World Cup series and the World Championship at Salzburg in September.
"You can't go chasing points in the rankings because that can have an 
effect on certain races.
"But it's a reward for doing well in the big races and, as I say, I'm 
delighted to get the No1 position."
Like tennis, cycling's rankings are produced on the basis of a rolling 
12-month programme.
And Cooke has overtaken Sweden's Susanne Ljungskog after an incredible 
few months which has had the rest of the cycling world chasing shadows.
Cooke won the Grande Boucle, the women's Tour de France, and has 
continued to stamp her mark on the 2006 World Cup with a series of 
stunning rides.
"I've been in the top 10 consistently in the past when I've had some 
very good spells," said the 2003 World Cup winner.
"But I've had a very good season and stuck to my plan of focusing on the 
World Cup season and a couple of tours.
"Cycling is pretty competitive, so to get the No1 spot is very satisfying."
Cooke now a three-week break before concluding the World Cup series with 
three races in as many weeks in France, Holland and Germany.
-- 
http://modesta.biciticino.ch
Il sito dedicato alla giovane ciclista lituana Modesta Vzesniauskaite

 three races in as many weeks in France, Holland and Germany.
This obsession will alienate Modesta. You should be posting pro Modesta in
the postitive!
B-

 SL has had a dismal year, no comparison there.
What??? Dismal year? She had a really consistent season with some 
important wins and a lot of excellent results. That's the reason why she 
was number one.
http://velopalmares.free.fr/ljungskog.htm


 
http://velopalmares.free.fr/ljungskog.htm
I don't see much anything exciting in those palmares. 2nd place, I am afraid
that doesn't count for much. She hasn't rode as well since coming off her
two world back to back victories. There wouldn't be much to challenge her in
her native Sweden for the nationals. I never did like how she won the worlds
those two years against Melchers. I think Melchers was the real unoffical
winner.  Vargarda is her native Swedish race, and Sarria is small potoatos I
would think. She only has three wins this season then I think just from
looking at that, but let's see how does in the upcoming worlds?
B-