Cycling: Second World Cup reward for Cooke's effort

The Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke secured the second World Cup of her career when she finished fourth in the 11th round of the series yesterday in Rotterdam.

Cooke, 23, made a lone attack four kilometres from the finish but, after she was reeled in by the German squad T-Mobile, concentrated on taking as high a placing as possible in the final bunch sprint.

"A victory would have been great, but I had to think more about getting the overall win," said Cooke, who has already won the Women's Tour de France this year.

Denmark's Martin Pedersen won the Tour of Britain yesterday, while Tom Boonen, of Belgium, won the 82km sixth stage.

Boonen won the final stage in 2 hours, 41 seconds, with Pedersen finishing in the main pack with the same time. Luis Pasamontes was second overall, followed by Filippo Pozzato. The Isle of Man's Mark Cavendish claimed the points title.

The final stage was marred by a collision on The Mall, in central London, involving two motorcyclists accompanying the riders. The London Ambulance Service said that five people ­ including the motorcyclists ­ were injured, suffering head wounds and fractured ankles.