July 11, 2004 – Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattam’s Nicole Cooke put on a fine display yesterday, taking the eighth stage (91.3km) of the women’s giro, thereby launching herself into the lead overall.

Stage 8: Oggiono – Magreglio Madonna del Ghisallo

1. Nicole Cooke (GBr) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan
2. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Michela Fanini-Record Box
3. Nicole Braendli (Swi) Michela Fanini-Record Box
4. Valentina Polkanova (Rus) Nobili Rubinetterie-Guerciotti
5. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Let’s Go Finland
6. Joane Sommariba (Spa) Bizkaia-Panda Software-Durango
7. Miriam Melchers (Ned) Team Farm Frites Hartol
8. Svetlana Boubnenkova (Rus) P.M.B. Fenixs
9. Modesta Vzesniauskaite (Ltu) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan
10. Priska Doppmann (Swi) Let’s Go Finland

Overall: 1. Nicole Cooke (GBr) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan
19.56.13
2. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Let’s Go Finland 0.49
3. Priska Doppmann (Swi) Let’s Go Finland 1.05
4. Miriam Melchers (Ned) Team Farm Frites Hartol 1.28
5. Modesta Vzesniauskaite (Ltu) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan 2.12
6. Valentina Polkanova (Rus) Nobili Rubinetterie-Guerciotti 2.22
7. Diana Ziliute (Ltu) Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan 2.51
8. Svetlana Boubnenkova (Rus) P.M.B. Fenixs 3.08
9. Olivia Gollan (Aus) Australian National Team 3.25
10. Zoulfia Zabirova (Rus) Let’s Go Finland