'Nicole's up to taking French test again'.

Byline: By Gary Baker 

Nicole Cooke has the mental toughness to crack the women's Tour de France for a second successive year, believes triple world champion Victoria Pendleton.

Cooke was starting her defence of the La Grande Boucle Feminine today, with her father Tony Cooke saying she is in 'tip top condition'.

The Wick wizard started and ended last year's La Grande Boucle Feminine in front and Pendleton, who rode against Cooke as a teenager and is contemplating a return to the road alongside the Welsh star at next year's Olympics, believes she has the make-up to repeat the feat.

Pendleton, who won three gold medals at this year's World Track Championships in Majorca, said: "I have never met a female rider who can turn themselves inside out as she does.

"I've seen her when she was really young pushing herself to the limit and anyone who has any idea about sport can't help but be impressed by it."

And that, said Pendleton, who retained her women's 15K Derny Paced Championships crown at Maindy Stadium on Sunday in the Cardiff Grand Prix, will give the Raliegh-Lifeforce rider the resolve to win the French classic for a second time.

"As long as she has got a good team around her, then I think she has a really good chance of succeeding there," added Pendleton.

"I hope she does and good luck to her. She has had a fantastic season so far and it would be good for her to get a really big win under her belt again."

In the last few weeks, though, rival Marieanne Vos has begun to eat into Cooke's overwhelming lead during this season's women's World Cup Series and is a serious challenge to the Wick ace retaining the classic title.

Pendleton added: "Vos is a very strong rider, but I don't think she has as much experience as Nicole so hopefully that will help her in that respect."

Cooke took control of the famed yellow jersey in last year's race, despite only taking part after a late change to her racing programme.

After winning the prologue time trial, Cooke eventually won by more than seven minutes - a victory capped by a stage win over the legendary Mont Ventoux climb.

"When I stood on the podium, it was a very proud moment because, when I was young, I went and watched the Grande Boucle with my mother, father and brother," said Cooke.

"I dreamt of winning this race in the sun on the mountains and in the grand scenery of France. Riding up the Ventoux, with the knowledgeable crowd cheering, was fantastic.

"It has to be one of my favourite victories because of the history and prestige of winning on the Ventoux.

"I so much wanted to win and win alone."