BADEN COOK 14 YEAR VETERAN OF THE PELOTON

A fierce competitor and loyal friend Baden Retires from Pro-cycling to start his own business

McEwen and Cookie mixing it

It was reported earlier last month that you had difficulties securing a contract. The market for quality riders is saturated at the moment with the collapse of so many top-tier trade teams. Do you think this contributed to your retirement?

Yes certainly it was a very difficult year to secure a team for me and many other riders. There are many top riders who are facing forced retirement. I had a small offer to ride at in a small team but at 35 year old with a wife and child I need to pay the bills, therefore I felt the time was right to start my own business.

You already mentioned your green jersey and stage win at the 2003 Tour de France as two of your career highlights, along with his wins at GP Fourmies and Dwars Door Vlaanderen, but what are your most memorable races even though you might not have placed well?

The 2011 Paris Roubaix stands out as a big missed opportunity. I had ridden across to the winning break and was about 15 sec behind eventual winner Johan Vansummeren on the very last hard pave sector when the guy in front of me (Manuel Quinziato) fell off and took me out. I broke my bike and broke my cleat. I wasted many minutes getting a new bike and shoe. I finished about 20th (22^nd) still but was bitterly disappointed.

 

2011 was so close for Baden at the Paris-Roubaix

As a former track cyclist and you have mentioned still doing some riding/racing have you any thoughts of getting involved with some 6-day racing?

No, I will just continue to ride to keep fit and maybe do some criteriums and local races.

Your good friend Matt Wilson has moved into being a Directeur  Sportif at Orica-GreenEDGE and many gifted Australian riders have done this, do you see yourself at all going down this path?

No I will take a different path. I am going to set up a rider management company here in Monaco.

You are interested in forming a sports management business, what do you think you can offer to potential cyclists and other sportspeople? How has this idea come to fruition?

Well, I am very well known in the sport, I have good contacts with many teams and I am close to many riders. Along with my lawyer, who is an expert in sporting law, tax set ups and has a university diploma in sports management we can offer a whole range of services. Relocation, residency.  We can even offer training assistance such as motorpacing and the likes.

On a personal and brighter note you and Kelly have been delighted and graced by your first child Luella.

 Yes Luella is now walking and is learning so fast. It makes things extremely difficult to be away.

Follow Baden on twitter @badencooke

Good luck and best wishes from all your fans.