Riding for newly formed crack Italian team Deia-Pragma-Colnago, the Welsh rider defeated a 107-strong field that included the current and previous senior world road race champions.

Unlike her professional debut a week ago, when she was ordered at the last minute to ride for a weakened Great Britain, this time Cooke was able to ride a tactical race with the help of her Deia-Pragma-Colnago teammates.

Cooke, from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan, finished three seconds clear of her nearest challengers, and that despite having to swerve to avoid a crashed motorcycle on the run-in.

The 18-year-old celebrated her first senior win by finishing ahead of closest challengers Noemi Cantele (Acca Due O-Pasta Zara-Lorena), Simona Parente (Edil Savino), Vera Carrara (Itera), and 1999 world champion Edita Pucinskaite (Figurella).

"It was fantastic, my team looked after me really well and helped me no end," Cooke said.

"It came down to the last 30 km and I was still fresh and ready to go. There were two big hills left, one at 15km to go and another with just 3km so I knew it would be vital to be in the moves over those."

The 2000 World Champion, Zinaida Stahurskaia, attacked on the first of these, with Cooke tucked in behind the Belarussian, then Fabiana Luperini, four-time women's Giro d'Italia winner, took up the challenge.

Cooke's sternest challenge came from the Acca Due O-Pasta Zara-Lorena riders, who were looking to get a win for Diana Ziliute - last week's winner - or reigning senior road race champion Rasa Polikeviciute.

But Cooke was well-supported by teammate Fanny Lecourtois in a breakaway group of eight riders that moved five seconds clear of the chasing pack.

On the last hill, Lecourtois paved the way for Nicole to attack, with Polikeviciute picking up the challenge laid down by her young challenger.

With 2km to go it was the senior world champion who faltered against the junior title holder, as Cooke left her more experienced opponent in her wake.

However, on the run-in four riders joined forces to chase down Cooke, who was forced to swerve to avoid a crashing motorcycle on the descent.

With 500m to go Cooke was caught by the chasers but responded immediately to cross the finish line three seconds clear of Cantele, with Parente, Carrara and Pucinskaite close behind.