Amstel Gold: Nicole’s big win

• Results

By John Wilcockson

Former two-time world junior road champion Nicole Cooke of Great Britain won the biggest event of her young pro career on Sunday: the Amstel Gold Race, fourth round of the 2003 World Cup.

The 20-year-old Welsh rider on the Ausra-Safi team – which is affiliated to the Italian Acca Due O squad – bridged up with the Spanish rider Teodora Ruano of Prato-Marathon to solo leader Oenone Wood of Australia, who went clear on the Keutenberg with 11km to go. The three joined forces on the descent of the Sibbergrubbe with 4km to go, then Cooke attacked on the finishing climb, the Cauberg.

“We could see the bunch coming up, so I attacked with about 400 meters to go, and won solo, while my breakaway companions were both caught by the bunch,” Cooke told VeloNews before she went to the anti-doping control.

Cooke was two seconds clear on the line ahead of another Australian, Olivia Gollan, and 1999 world champion Edita Pucinskaite of Lithuania. Current world champion Susan Ljungskog of Sweden crossed in fifth, five seconds back.

The top North American finisher was Canada’s Lyne Bessette, who came in 10th, one place ahead of the initial attacker, Wood, who was 12 seconds back, while Ruano crossed in 24th, at half a minute.

The big field of 162 starters stayed together until the first passage of the Cauberg, which has a steepest pitch of 12 percent, midway though the 105km race. That first climb left about 60 riders in front, with most of them still in contention when they reached the decisive Keutenberg ascent, where Wood attacked on the stiff 22-percent grade and Cooke moved up, ready to pounce.

3RD AMSTEL GOLD RACE (WOMEN)
THE NETHERLANDS. APRIL 20.
1.Nicole Cooke (GB), Ausra Grudis-Safi, 105.4km in 2:45:18 (38.257 kph)
2. Olivia Gollan (Aus), Australian National, at 0:02
3.Edita Pucinskaite (Lit), Michela Fanini, s.t.
4. Regina Schleicher (G), German National, at 0:04
5. Susanne Ljungskog (S), Aliverti Catalunya, at 0:05
6. Mirjam Melchers (Nl), Farm Frites-Hartol, at 0:06
7. Sara Carrigan (Aus), Bike Powerplate, at 0:07
8. Judith Arndt (G), Nürnberger, s.t.
9. Zulfia Zabirova (Rus), Prato-Marathon Bike, at 0:08
10. Lyne Bessette (Can), Canada National, at 0:09Other North Americans
20. Amber Neben (USA), at 0:21
27.Sue Palmer-Komar (Can), Canada National, at 0:33
28. Sandy Espeseth (Can), Canada National, s.t.
34. Kristin Armstrong (USA), T-Mobile, at 0:39
35. Kimberley Bruckner (USA), T-Mobile, s.t. 77. Katy St. Laurent (Can), Canada National, at 2:16
90. Stacey Peters (USA), T-Mobile, at 2:34
93. Mari Holden (USA), T-Mobile, at 2:40
134. Julie Hutsebaut (Can), Canada National, at 16:33.(162 starters, 141 finishers.)

Results

1
Nicole Cooke
(WAL)

2:45:18

2
Olivia Gollan
(AUS)

+ 0:00:02

3
Edita Pucinskaite
(LTU)

+ 0:00:02

4
Regina Schleicher
(GER)

+ 0:00:04

5
Susanne Ljungskog
(SWE)

+ 0:00:05

6
Mirjam Melchers
(NED)

+ 0:00:06

7
Sara Carrigan
(AUS)

+ 0:00:07

8
Judith Arndt
(GER)

+ 0:00:07

9
Zoulfia Zabirova
(RUS)

+ 0:00:08

10
Lyne Bessette
(CAN)

+ 0:00:09

11
Denone Wood
(AUS)

+ 0:00:12

12
Nicole Brändli
(SUI)

+ 0:00:13

13
Theresa Senff
(GER)

+ 0:00:14

14
Ghita Beltman
(NED)

+ 0:00:14

15
Aline Camboulives
(FRA)

+ 0:00:15

16
Anita Valen
(NOR)

+ 0:00:17

17
Nataliya Kachalka
(UKR)

+ 0:00:18

18
Adrie Visser
(NED)

+ 0:00:19

19
Miho Oki
(JPN)

+ 0:00:19

20
Amber Neben
(USA)

+ 0:00:21

21
Alexandra Bähler
(SUI)
+ 0:00:25

22
Barbara Heeb
(SUI)

+ 0:00:25

23
Chantal Beltman
(NED)

+ 0:00:26

24
Dori Ruano
(ESP)

+ 0:00:30

25
Trixi Worrack
(GER)

+ 0:00:31

26
Ioulia Martissova
(RUS)

+ 0:00:31

27
Sue Palmer-Komar
(CAN)

+ 0:00:33

28
Sandy Espeseth
(CAN)

+ 0:00:33

29
Frances Newstead
(ENG)

+ 0:00:35

30
Gunn-Rita Dahle
(NOR)

+ 0:00:36

31
Svetlana Stolova
(RUS)

+ 0:00:37

32
Margaret Hemsley
(AUS)

+ 0:00:37

33
Yvonne Brunen
(NED)

+ 0:00:37

34
Kristin Armstrong
(USA)

+ 0:00:39

35
Kimberly Bruckner
(USA)

+ 0:00:39

36
Heidi Van de Vijver
(BEL)

+ 0:00:40

37
Evy Van Damme
(BEL)

+ 0:00:40

38
Caroline Payot-Podevin
(FRA)

+ 0:00:41

39
Tina Liebig
(GER)

+ 0:00:41

40
Jolanta Polikeviciute
(LTU)

+ 0:00:41

41
Giovanna Troldi
(ITA)

+ 0:00:41

42
Rasa Polikeviciute
(LTU)

+ 0:00:41

43
Sharon Van Dromme
(BEL)

+ 0:00:41

44
Kim Anderson
(USA)

+ 0:00:41

45
Suzanne de Goede
(NED)

+ 0:00:41

46
Lisbeth Simper
(DEN)

+ 0:00:41

47
Debbie Mansveld
(NED)

+ 0:00:41

48
Cindy Pieters
(BEL)

+ 0:00:41

49
Sandrine Marcuz
(FRA)

+ 0:00:41

50
Katia Longhin
(ITA)

+ 0:00:41

51
Marta Vilajosana
(ESP)

+ 0:00:41

52
Diana Ziliute
(LTU)

+ 0:00:41

53
Vera Koedooder
(NED)

+ 0:00:41

54
Esther van der Helm
(NED)

+ 0:00:41

55
Hayley Rutherford
(AUS)

+ 0:00:41

56
Emma James
(AUS)

+ 0:00:52

57
Sharon van Essen
(NED)

+ 0:00:55

58
Marta Evangelisti
(ITA)

+ 0:00:55

59
Josephine Groenveld
(NED)

+ 0:00:55

60
Fabiana Luperini
(ITA)

+ 0:00:55

61
Tanja Schmidt
(GER)

+ 0:00:55

62
Loes Gunnewijk
(NED)

+ 0:01:16

63
Baukje Doedee
(NED)

+ 0:01:21

64
Luisa Tamanini
(ITA)

+ 0:01:25

65
Isabella Wieser
(AUT)

+ 0:01:34

66
Areke Hassink
(NED)

+ 0:01:40

67
Silvia Parietti
(ITA)

+ 0:02:01

68
Serena Cavicchi
(ITA)

+ 0:02:08

69
Dorte Lohse
(DEN)

+ 0:02:08

70
Katrin Leumann
(SUI)

+ 0:02:08

71
Saskia Elemans
(NED)

+ 0:02:08

72
Marianna Lorenzoni
(ITA)

+ 0:02:08

73
Irene Hostettler
(SUI)

+ 0:02:08

74
Eneritz Iturriaga
(ESP)

+ 0:02:08

75
Sarah Grab
(SUI)

+ 0:02:08

76
Annette Beutler
(SUI)

+ 0:02:08

77
Katy St Laurent
(CAN)

+ 0:02:16

78
Erika Vilunaite
(LTU)

+ 0:02:17

79
Emma Davies
(ENG)

+ 0:02:19

80
Rochelle Gilmore
(AUS)

+ 0:02:20

81
Katherine Bates
(AUS)

+ 0:02:20

82
Giorgia Bronzini
(ITA)

+ 0:02:20

83
Arenda Grimberg
(NED)

+ 0:02:20

84
Ine Wannijn
(BEL)

+ 0:02:20

85
Anna Ramirez-Bauxel
(ESP)

+ 0:02:27

86
Trine Hansen
(DEN)

+ 0:02:30

87
Diana Elmentaite
(LTU)

+ 0:02:30

88
Mirjam Senn
(SUI)

+ 0:02:30

89
Priska Doppmann
(SUI)

+ 0:02:34

90
Stacey Peters
(USA)

+ 0:02:34

91
Sandra Rombouts
(NED)

+ 0:02:34

92
Bertine Spijkerman
(NED)

+ 0:02:37

93
Mari Holden
(USA)

+ 0:02:40

94
Béatrice Thomas
(FRA)

+ 0:02:46

95
Janildes Silva
(BRA)

+ 0:02:47

96
Elsbeth Vink
(NED)

+ 0:02:50

97
Zita Urbonaite
(LTU)

+ 0:02:50

98
Madeleine Lindberg
(SWE)

+ 0:03:11

99
Catharina Mulders
(NED)

+ 0:04:15

100
Nathalie Bates
(AUS)

+ 0:05:47

101
Sara Symington
(ENG)

+ 0:05:55

102
Charlotte Goldsmith
GBR

+ 0:05:55

103
Alexandra Bähler
(SUI)

+ 0:07:04

104
Sabine Batz
(GER)

+ 0:08:19

105
Anneleen van Beek
(NED)

+ 0:08:24

106
Christina Peick-Andersen
(DEN)

+ 0:08:30

107
Frederika van der Wiel
(NED)

+ 0:08:30

108
Anna Farina
(ITA)

+ 0:08:30

109
Inge Klep
(NED)

+ 0:08:30

110
Nadine Bruhn
(DEN)

+ 0:08:30

111
Francesca Castrucci
(ITA)

+ 0:08:33

112
Caroline Slikker
(NED)

+ 0:08:33

113
Mirella van Melis
(NED)

+ 0:08:37

114
Olga Velzen
(NED)

+ 0:08:37

115
Mieke van der Burg
(NED)

+ 0:08:37

116
Jaccolien (WAL)laard
(NED)

+ 0:08:46

117
Corrien van Haastert
(NED)

+ 0:08:46

118
Kristy Miggels
(NED)

+ 0:08:50

119
Bettina Kuhn
(SUI)

+ 0:08:52

120
Irene Puccioni
(ITA)

+ 0:08:52

121
Letizia Giardinelli
(ITA)

+ 0:08:52

122
Goedelieve Jansens
(NED)

+ 0:09:05

123
Kerstin Scheitle
(GER)

+ 0:10:05

124
Petra Rossner
(GER)

+ 0:10:05

125
Emily WIlliams
(AUS)

+ 0:12:57

126
Indre Januleviciute
(LTU)

+ 0:12:57

127
Jolanda Cools
(NED)

+ 0:13:29

128
Abke Francissen
(NED)

+ 0:13:29

129
Minke van Dongen
(NED)

+ 0:13:29

130
Blandine Camus
(FRA)

+ 0:13:44

131
Wendy Kramp
(NED)

+ 0:13:47

132
Andrea Knecht
(GER)

+ 0:16:13

133
Petra Pilz
(AUT)

+ 0:16:30

134
Julie Hutsebaut
(CAN)

+ 0:16:33

135
Janneke de Jager
(NED)

+ 0:16:34

136
Editha Bergkotte
(NED)

+ 0:16:40

137
Eefje Ottevanger
(NED)

+ 0:16:42

138
Karin Wieser
(AUT)

+ 0:17:02

139
Claudia Meyer
(AUT)

+ 0:17:02

140
Eyelien Bekkering
(NED)

+ 0:17:05

141
Kirsten Wild
(NED)

+ 0:17:08