Nicole Cooke

British road racer Nicole Cooke will be defending her 2008 title at the London Olympic Games. Gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games signalled Cooke’s arrival on the international stage, and she won the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year for her efforts. She finished fifth at the 2004 Olympics but went into the 2008 Games with a hugely strong pedigree behind. With seven major event wins since the Commonwealth Games and as a nine-time British Champion, it was little surprise that Cooke was the figurehead of Team GB’s efforts and she delivered gold. Later that same summer she become the first woman to win the Olympic and World titles in the same year, claiming the rainbow jersey after her Bikehut team chased down a breakaway to put her in contention in the final sprint. Since the Beijing Olympics, Cooke has been awarded an MBE, won the 2009 Giro del Trentino and claimed a tenth British title. Has admitted that she has dipped from her dominant position in women’s cycling in the last few years, and compatriot Emma Pooley may well be the focus of Team GB’s efforts at London 2012.