Garner only second Brit to win junior road race after Cooke

Lucy Garner took the gold medal in the World Championships junior road race on Friday in Copenhagen, Denmark. In doing so, she became only the second British rider to win a junior road race world title after Nicole Cooke.

"I was just shocked," she said of taking the rainbow jersey. "It did sink in coming over the finish line, all the emotions just came out. I thought, 'I'm world champion, it's just amazing.'"

Cooke was the only other rider to win a gold medal on the road. She won the 2000 and 2001 road race titles and the 2001 time trial title. The junior men have never won a medal.

Elinor Barker became only the second medallist on Monday with her silver medal in the time trial.

Garner, 17 years old as of Wednesday, considers Cooke a role model.

"Yeah," she said. "There are many. Nicole Cooke, and also Lizzie Armitstead."

Cooke went on to win the Olympic and Worlds road race titles in 2008 as an elite rider. Her other wins include the Flèche Wallonne and the Tour of Flanders. She is one of seven racing in the women's road race on Saturday.

"She's an amazing rider," Garner continued. "It's going to be hard to get where she is. I am prepared to do what I can to get to her level.

"It's been great to have her around [in Copenhagen], just to look up to her and all the riders on the GB team."

Related links

Lucy Garner wins junior women's road race

Road World Championships 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index