A crash spoiled Nicole Cooke's hopes of glory at her first senior world road cycling championships in Belgium.

She was heading a chasing pack that included eventual winner Suzanne Ljungskog of Sweden, and feeling confident that she could run down the leading group of three.

There had been a series of crashes on the slick Zolder track, though, and on the last lap Cooke was herself caught in a melee.

The Wick cyclist remounted, but any chance of a win was gone.

"Everything was going perfectly and I felt good and thought I could win but then the crash spoilt everything," said the 19-year-old.

"I think I could have gone with Ljungaskog and I know I could have had a chance in the sprint. It's so annoying."

Cooke eventually finished in 35th spot.

It completed a miserable week for the Welsh rider, after hassles with her financially struggling team who owe her several months wages.

Twenty-six-year-old Ljungskog won the race in a sprint finish.