Cooke remains on top of the overall World Cup standings

Main rival Marianne Vos nipped Cooke at the line to take fourth place, but that still left Cooke with a 53-point lead after six rounds, with three remaining.

Italy's Fabiana Luperini won the race in 3hr 07.35min, holding off rising United States star Mara Abbott.

The pair rode away from the peloton over Mont-Royal to produce a thriller.

Wales' Cooke, 24, riding for the Raleigh Life Force Creations team, was part of an 11-strong chase group that formed with two laps to go.

T-mobile's Judith Arndt took third, with Vos, Cooke, Oenone Wood and Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli following as the lead pair stayed just ahead of the chasers.

Although Cooke's World Cup lead had only been cut by three points from 56 to 53, the 19-year-old Netherlander Vos did take her world number one ranking spot, albeit by just 0.67 of a point.

Cooke said: "I felt great pride to be the first ever British rider - male or female to be world number one.

"I would have liked to retain that position for over a year but it was not to be.

"Marianne is a fantastic athlete. I have had great form and beaten Marianne and now she has great form and is beating me.

"I enjoyed today. It's always a good course and a nice atmosphere here in Montreal.

"I am happy with fifth place, it was a good job and I'm really looking forward to the second half of the season."