Cooke wins 10th national road title

Nicole Cooke (Vision 1 Racing) took her ninth successive British women's road national title on Saturday in Abergavenny, Wales. It was the tenth time Cooke has won the title since becoming the youngest ever winner in 1999.

"This was very special win for me with number ten," said Cooke after her win. The current World and Olympic champion out-sprinted Lizzie Armitstead (Lotto-Belisol) and Emma Pooley (Cervélo TestTeam) in the downhill sprint.

Armitstead's second placing meant she became the U23 champion, however, the 20-year-old was shocked to be informed that after accepting the gold medal in the younger category she became ineligible for the silver medal in the senior race.

Pooley was subsequently awarded the senior silver with fourth place finisher Catherine Williamson (Fenixs) taking bronze.

"It is very sad what happened to Lizzie with the silver medal. In sport you have things in black and white and Lizzie was second in the results and a very worthy winner of that medal," said Cooke. "Everyone was disappointed and no one wanted to take a medal that wasn't theirs."

Cooke will now turn her attention towards September's road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

I am still as motivated to race as when I first started. I have achieved my dream of becoming World and Olympic champion but I still love the thrill of racing and very happy to continue. My big target of the season is the World Championships."

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