Cooke claims ninth British title

Nicole Cooke out-sprinted Emma Pooley in Helmsley's Duncombe Park to win the British Road Race Championship for the ninth time.

The Welsh star's Halfords-Bikehut team took charge of the 106km Yorkshire race when Catherine Hare, Joanna Rowsell, Jessica Allen and Cooke broke away.

Only Rachel Heal and Pooley stayed with them, and Cooke, 25, had the speed to win the sprint from Pooley and Rowsell.

Cooke, from Wick near Bridgend, has won the title eight times in succession.

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She is now just four short of Beryl Burton's all-time British record of 13 victories in the event.

British Road Race Championship, Helmsley, North Yorkshire:
1. Nicole Cooke (Halfords-Bikehut)
2. Emma Pooley (Specialized)
3. Joanna Rowsell (Halfords-Bikehut)
4. Jessica Allen (Halfords-Bikehut)
5. Catherine Hare (Halfords-Bikehut)
6. Rachel Heal (Tibco)

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Nicole Cooke profile
Raleigh Pro Cycling
WomensCycling.net
BBC Local - Wales
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