After Nicole has spent some time in Australia, she is now in Europe for the
World Cup. Nicole Cooke will debut in the Netherlands on Saturday at the 1st
round of the World Cup series for 1012.
It's Nicole's first appearance in Europe after following her brilliant
performances last year when she earned four victories.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic champion will be the point of reference for the
women's team Faren Honda on Saturday, directed by Fortunato Lacquaniti.
Joining the Welsh rider will be her companions; Rochelle Gilmore of
Australia, Jennifer Hohl of Switzerland, Giuseppina Grassi of Mexico, Elena
Utrobina, and Yulia Blindyuk of Russia.
Tomorrow (Thursday) the team will address the first of three races in
Holland, "Drentse 8". Two days later on Saturday the 10th of March they will
compete in the first round of World Cup: the Ronde van Drenthe. On Sunday
they will back up with the Novilon Euregio Cup.
"The races in Australia have given me positive feedback about my condition
and I'm ready to take these next tests with good credentials. There are
athletes who have already shown so much good form, I'll play all my cards to
hopefully give our sponsors satisfaction." Cooke said.
Fabiana Luperini will instead debut in Tuscany on Sunday the 11th of March.
Luperini, the champion of Pontedera will race the Trofeo Alberto Vannucci
starting and finishing in Vaiano in the province of Prato.
Luperini will have at her side Luisa Tamanini, who will use the race to
complete her course of rehabilitation undertaken after crashing in New
Zealand last month.
Other Italian¹s supporting Fabiana on Sunday will be the following;
Chiara Nadalutti, Maria Giulia Confalonieri and Stefania Vecchio.
