Britain’s Cooke Wins Women’s Road Race

Nicole Cooke of Great Britain overcame horrible conditions during a rainy day in Beijing to win the women’s cycling road race on Sunday. The 25-year-old Wales native finished the 78.5-mile trek in 3 hours, 32 minutes, and 24 seconds, just seconds before Silver Medalist, Emma Johansson of Sweden and Bronze Medalist, Tatiana Guderzo of Italy.

The intermittent, heavy rain caused several crashes, including American Kristen Armstrong. No riders were seriously injured.

This is Cooke’s first Olympics. She is a three-time medalist in World Cycling Championship events.