The closing stages of the World Cup 'crank up' this weekend. For each of the next three weekends, there is a World Cup race. This weekend, there is Plouay, next weekend, Rotterdam and in two weeks time, Nurnberg.

The weather forecast is for wet weather - intermittent showers, which is not unusual in this area of the world. Similar conditions to those forecast were endured by the riders last year.

Nicole Cooke (Univega) is top of the World Cup rankings after round 9 in Denmark - the team time trial. Her advantage of 118 points is not unassailable. The winner of a World Cup event gains 75 points, (although at Nurnberg - the final event, the points are doubled), so Cooke and her team will be looking for a 'result' here, to open the gap further on Judith Arndt (T-Mobile) and Susanne Ljungskog (Buitenpoort-Flexpoint). These riders and their respective teams will not be sitting waiting for attacking moves, though. Both of these teams will be starting on Saturday with a strategy for gaining maximum points. 

Nicole Cooke, however, has a special bond with Plouay; she won the junior World Championship Road Race here and she has also won a (senior) World Cup here. Two visits, two wins....

This is one of the largest World Cup races, indeed, one of the largest races in the calendar. There are pro teams, national teams and several regional teams too. The Spanish, Polish, Belgian, Canadian, South African and Lithuanian teams - to name a few - are here. France's team is led by Jeannie Longo, multiple national and world champion, who is still competitive despite being well into her 40's.

About Plouay

Plouay is in the Northwest of France and the World Cup is part of the  "GP Ouest France", which is a huge event - a 3 day festival of cycling. Friday provides everyday cyclists with the opportunity to ride one of 3 circuits - up to a maximum of 150km. There were over 2000 riders for this event, with age related category prizes. In addition, there are hundreds of 'camping cars' too - 'campervans', parked along the finishing straight and around the town. Everywhere there is a flat space, there is a campervan parked, each with a satellite dish tuned in, no doubt, to the live coverage from French TV. 

Saturday starts with a race for the amateur men (espoirs and uncontracted) in the morning and then, of course, there is the women's World Cup race in the afternoon. Sunday has the attraction of the professional men's race, which in 2006 is a part of the 'Pro Tour, as it was in 2005'. The town is 'en fete' for the weekend - there is a funfair and free fireworks and the main street was closed to traffic on Saturday to make way for street stalls which were open all day. Huge, well organised and very enjoyable - get here if you can! 

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