12 questions for 2012 / Nicole Cooke / Road Cyclist

Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 18 April 2011 - 15:39
Author: Andrew Allen
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As the London 2012 Olympic Games draw ever closer, Sport.co.uk asks prospective Team GB members about their favourite sporting memories, career highlights and ambitions for the future.

Next up on the list is a woman with real sporting pedigree; Olympic gold medal winner Nicole Cooke.

Name?
Nicole Cooke

Sport/Event?
Road Cycling

How did you get into the sport?
Through my parents, they’re both really sporty; my dad used to race. From a very young age I was given a bike as a present and I was always out riding with my brother. There was firstly the enjoyment I took of cycling for fun and then after a few years my dad offered my brother and I a chance to race and we both took him up on the offer. It all started from there when I was about 11. I used to cycle to school and once I got stronger and fitter I would make the routes more demanding. It took 45 minutes so I would tailor the ride specifically.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
I think it’s definitely my parents and my dad in particular. He had the experience of racing and has been fantastic all the way through my career passing that information and experience on. He’s guided me through all the way through those different stages from age category races, the first international races and then on to being a professional.

Who were your childhood sporting heroes?
I don’t think there was anyone in particular. I used to follow all sorts of sports, I remember Colin Jackson was always a very prominent sporting figure in Wales, Martina Navratilova was always at Wimbledon playing tennis. I took inspiration from lots of people.

What is your first Olympic memory?
I certainly remember the Barcelona Olympics and that was great fun to watch. You’d wake up and there was sport on TV and you can’t get enough of it. It was really exciting, gripping. I remember particularly the night when Colin Jackson got the bronze and Sally Gunnell and Linford Christie got the golds.

I’ve no doubt your proudest moment of your career so far was winning the Olympic Gold in Beijing, but what about other career defining moments?
There’s lots of special moments for me. Every race has its own memory or moment, it’s not always winning a race that dictates that. Helping teammates win or putting in a great team performance; those are also great moments which stay with me as well.

When you’re cycling for such long distances, how do you focus the mind? Do you ever find yourself drifting in thought...
In racing there is no allowance for letting the mind wander at all, that’s pure concentration and focus. In the training sessions when there is work to do or intervals again it’s full commitment to the task at hand. There are also recovery rides and long endurance paced rides, warm-ups and warm-downs when I might chat with other people if I’m riding with them. Then I can let the mind go a bit and enjoy the moment.

How do you think you’ll cope with the pressure of performing in front of a home crowd?
I think the pressure comes from your own expectations and that drive within. I remember at Athens and Beijing knowing it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it will be the same in London, it’s all about that personal drive and desire more than anything external.

What are your ambitions for 2012, I assume given you are the reigning champion that anything less that gold will be a disappointment?
I think there are two ways of looking at that. I want to be as fit and prepared as I can be on that start line that is the main focus of my training and preparation ahead of the Olympic road race. It’s then a case of walking away knowing I’ve done my best in the race. If I can finish the race saying that we’ll see how good that is for me. There are so many factors in a road race; the tactics, the scenarios with other riders, the course. Anything could happen, any number of situations could unfold, i just have to try and be ready for all of those situations. Sometimes you do an absolutely amazing race but you’re outnumbered by another team, or you get a puncture at the wrong moment. Things like that ultimately need to be taken into consideration.

Which event are you most looking forward to seeing outside of your own?
I would love to take in as much as possible. I’ve been lucky at the last two Games I’ve competed at to watch a lot of sport. I think this time it will be nice to spend time with my family and friends and share the experience with them.