Cooke wins 10th title
Eurosport - Mon, 29 Jun 00:05:00 2009
Olympic and world champion Nicole Cooke won her 10th national road race title on home turf at the British women's championships in Abergavenny, Wales.
Cervelo rider Emma Pooley, fresh from winning the Grande Boucle stage race, was aiming to win her first British title but Cooke triumphed in the final sprint ahead of Pooley and Lizzie Armitstead after the trio pulled away from the weaker peleton.
But there was controversy as Armitstead was denied silver by chief commissioner Colin Clews, who ruled U23 riders ineligible to receive senior medals.
"As soon as the girls heard it, everyone was disappointed. No one wanted to take a medal that wasn't theirs," Cooke said,
"We all wanted a fair result, and that's what it was on paper."
The unpopular decision was booed by the crowd during the medal ceremony as, in 2008, Joanna Rowsell won the U23 category but kept her bronze medal for the senior title, while Cooke has won both categories on several occasions.
But Clews insisted the rules had been followed.
"When you combine two championships as we have done, if somebody receives a premier award - such as a jersey in the U23 - then she is no longer eligible to receive the medal in the elite competition."
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Comment 1 - 9 of 9
Congratulations to Nicole, the best sportswoman we have and one of the best sports persons on these shores. Thankfully Armistead was given back her medal but i feel sorry for Pooley. First being given the medak under such conditions and then having it taken away again. If it wasn't for the unbelievable Cooke i bthink Pooley would have won the title a hat-trick of times herself.
Unbelievable! Rules ARE rule, known to all participants, but why/how are/can they be interpreted differently year on year? If you're second, you're second. Job done! The law (rules) is/are an @#$%(@#$%)!! Well done LIZ!
How dissapointing for wee Lizzie.She's an exiting young rider who shows confidence on young shoulders.Rules are rules though.I'm sure there would have been a lot of noise from the people who enforce pathetic ones as these.What is the point of this ruling?Lizzy deserves her medal as do the the other two.What a hut of B**ls***.
Does this age discrimination also apply to International events? Does it apply to older riders? Perhaps Longo should be banned from the World Champs this year. It would also be a good way for the French to get rid of Lance from the tour in a couple of year time.
Well Done BC for inconsistantly applying rules rather than listening to the riders, common sense, past judgements. We do not want to reward or encourage these youngsters for being better than their age permits.
That rule has been in place for eons now and has been used in men's races a few times in major tours. I don't see why it should be lifted for 1 rider. Maybe we can relax other rules too, or better still throw the rule book in the bin, who needs rules anyway! Bring back the old days I say no more rules no more rules.
Da iawn, a pob hwyl Nicole!
Well done Nicki, maybe British Cycling needs to get some guys with common sense to run these events..Clews should never run an event again. This would be like telling a young footballer who picked up a European Championship U21 medal he cant have a World Cup one.
Well done to Nicole Cooke! She is unstoppable. Seems unfair that they've given both categories in the past to suddenly renege on it now. Very disappointing for Lizzie.
b******s
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