Results and Reports for March 16 - 17, 2002

Italy

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12th Trofeo Citta' Di Rosignano (6th Giro Frazioni)

Rosignano Solvay, Livorno, Italy

Cooke looks strong for Primavera

By Maurizio Ricci

A formidable Nicole Cooke (Deia-Pragma Colnago) has won the 12th Trofeo Citta' Di Rosignano, an important contest for Elite Women on the Italian calendar. 19 year old Nicole, already four times world champion as a junior, dominated the 107km race, showing that she is already one of the strongest riders in the elite ranks.

The course was a tough one, with many climbs. Cooke chose the final climb to attack world champion Rasa Polikeviciute and then to catch the lead group of Noemi Cantele, Simona Parente, Edita Pucinskaite and Vera Carrara. 500m from the finish, Cooke rode away from these four to take the win.

With today's ride, Cooke must be considered among the favourites for this weekend's Primavera Rosa, the third round of the World Cup.

Photography

• Nicole Cooke looks suitably triumphant as she crosses the line
• Nicole Cooke celebrates with team manager Giorgio Zauli.
• Nicole Cooke on the podium with Noemi Cantele (H2O-Pasta Zara) and Simona Parente (Edilsavino)

Results, 107km

1 Nicole Cooke (Deia-Pragma-Colnago)   2.50.45 (37.6km/h)
2 Noemi Cantele (H2O-Pasta Zara)
3 Simona Parente (Edilsavino)
4 Vera Carrara (Itera)
5 Edita Pucinskaite (Figurella)
6 Katia Longhin (H2O-Pasta Zara)          0.10
7 Giovanna Troldi (Raschiani-Alfa Lum) 
8 Zinaida Stahuskaja (Chirio Forno d'Asolo)
9 Regina Schleicher (Michela Fanini)
10 Sara Felloni (Edilsavino)