Press releases



Issy-les-Moulineaux, the 12th of April 2006


WOMEN'S FLECHE WALLONNE: COOKE GOING FOR THE TREBLE

The Flèche Wallonne, fourth leg of the women's World Cup, looks wide open with no rider having really dominated the World hierarchy. During the opening race in Geelong, Australia, Germany's Ina Tutenberg (TMP), the current World Cup overall leader was the first to capture victory. The other southern race in New-Zealand saw local rider Sarah Ulmer (NZL) triumph at home. The elite cyclists then headed to Europe to compete on the Tour of Flanders where Netherland's Mirjam Melchers - Van Poppel (BFL), conquered victory after claiming the race in 2005.

The Flèche Wallonne title holder, Great Britain's Nicole Cooke, also a winner back in 2003 will try to do as well as Italy's Fabiana Luperini in the record books. The Italian had been crowned on three occasions at the top of the Mur de Huy. Concerning the French contingent, Edwige Pitel (ALI), Alexandra Le Henaff (FRA), Magali Le Floch (TMP) and Marina Jaunatre (FUT) will be hoping for success.


The favourites of the 25 teams

Germany
• National Team (GER): Hanka Kupfernagel, Bianca Knöplfle
• Nürnberger Versicherung (NUR): Oenone Wood (AUS), Trixi Worrack, Regina Schleicher (GER)

Austria
• Elk Haus Nö (EHN): Anette Beutler (SUI)

Belgium
• National Team (BEL)
• Lotto-Belisol Ladies Team (LBL): Kathryn Watt (AUS)
• Vlaanderen-Caprisonne - T Interim (VLL): Sharon Van Dromme, Evy Van Damme (BEL)

Denmark
• Bianchi Aliverti Kookai (ALI): Edwige Pitel (FRA), Volha Hayeva (BLR)

Spain
• National Team (ESP)
• Bizkaia-Panda-Durango (BPD): Cristina Alcalde (ESP)

France
• National Team (FRA): Alexandra Le Henaff
• Vienne Futuroscope (FUT): Marina Jaunatre (FRA)

Italy
• A.S Team F.R.W. (FRW): Giorgia Bronzini (ITA)
• Fenixs-Colnago (FEN): Svetlana Bubnenkova, Olga Zabelinskaia (RUS)
• Nobili Rubinetterie Menikini Cogeas (NMC): Sigrid Corneo (ITA), Olivia Gollan (AUS), Miho OKI (JAP)
• Safi-Pasta - Zara Manathan (SAF): Luisa Tamanini (SAF), Diana Ziliute (LTU)
• Top Girls Fassa Bortolo (TOG): Katia Longhin, Fabiana Luperini (ITA)

  

Lituania
• National Team (LTU)

New-Zealand
• National Team (NZL)

Netherlands
• National Team (NED): Sharon Van Essen
• AA-Drink Cycling Team (AAD): Natalie Bates (AUS), Suzanne De Goede (NED), Theresa Senff (GER)
• Buitenpoort-Flexpoint Team (BFL): Loes Gunnewijk (NED), Susanne Ljungskog (SWE), Mirjam Melchers-Van Poppel (NED), Amber Neben (USA)

Switzerland
• Bigla Cycling Team (BCT): Nicole Brandli (SUI), Noemi Cantele (ITA), Andréa Graus (AUT), Zoulfia Zabirova (RUS)
• Univega Pro Cycling Team (UPT): Nicole Cooke (GBR), Priska Doppmann (SUI), Joanne Kiesanowski (NZL), Christiane SOEDER (AUT)

USA
• National Team (USA): Tina Pic
• T-Mobile Professional Cycling (TMP): Magali Le Floch (FRA), Judith Arndt (GER), Ina Teutenberg (GER)


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