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The announcement about Cooke’s new team was made at a press conference at 10am on Friday.
Journalists are gathering in Manchester for the start of the track World Cup event. The UCI event is being televised on BBC Grandstand on Saturday and Sunday.
Raleigh MD Mark Gouldthorp said: ‘It is great to have Nicole on board, she is a perfect example of home-grown talent, something which Raleigh feel is incredibly important to the future success of cycling."
Raleigh already provides bikes and equipment to the UK-based ERV women’s team and sponsors Revolution’s Future stars track series.
The company is broadening its product range. Five years ago Raleigh stopped producing flagship, high-end bikes to concentrate on its ‘bread and butter’ line of mass-market bikes. Historically, the company had always produced flagship bikes that may have sold in low numbers but which were ridden to success by pro cyclists like 1950s track star Reg Harris. ‘Reg rides a Raleigh’ was one of the best-known advertising slogans of the 1950s.
BikeBiz.com has seen next year’s prototype carbon MTB frames and track bikes and can report that the heron wants to get back into high-end in a big way.
UPDATE:
Cooke broke her collarbone at the Track World Cup in Manchester. According to her website,sShe landed heavily on her shoulder after a touch of elbows with a Canadian rider. X-rays have revealed 2 hair line fractures.
NICOLE COOKE’S PALMARES:
2005
1st Fleche Wallone World Cup Race
1st GP Wallonie, Belgium
1st Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Cittialio,Italy
1st 15th Trofeo Citta di Rosignano, Italy
2004
Maglia Rosa – Overall Winner
1st Stage eight Giro Donne
1st GP San Francisco/T Mobile International
1st British Road Race Championship
1st Stage 1 a Giro Della Toscana
