Nicole Cooke wins ahead of Italian Champion, Fabiana Luperini

Nicole Cooke (Raleigh Lifeforce Creation) put her seal on the second day of the Il Trofeo Costa Etrusca, beating Fabiana Luperini (Menikini Gysko) in the closing kilometres of the race, despite a spirited chase from the Italian Champion. 

140 riders from 19 teams contested the second day of the Trofeo. As per the first day, conditions were wet. 

The decisive move was made after just thirty kilometres, when a group of eight broke away. Cooke, Luperini, Cantelle, Leal Balderas (Team Frw Gauss Rdz), Brändli (Team Bigla), Worrack and Lutz (Équipe Nürnberger) and Ljungskog (Team Flexpoint) were together and gaining time. At kilometre 72, the group had over two and a half minutes advantage over the chasers.

With twenty kilometres to go, Cantele attacked, chased by Luperini. Cooke did not go immediately, but waited for the best moment. With ten kilometres to go, when the pair were 15 seconds ahead, Cooke jumped across the gap. Shortly afterwards on the final climb, Cooke made space between herself, Luperini and Noemi Cantele (Team Bigla).  She went solo; chased by Luperini. The Italian was unable to catch the in-form Welshwoman and finished 7 seconds in arrears. Nicole Brändli finished third. 

Results

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  Image copyright Photo De Cola, 2007©

Cooke takes the win at Castelina Marittima

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