Carol Cooke was among the winners in Emmen ©Twitter/Carol Cooke

Australia’s Carol Cooke claimed victory as road races began at the International Cycling Union Para-cycling Road World Cup in Emmen.

Cooke was involved in a tight battle with the United States’ Jill Walsh during the women’s T2 road race.

She eventually held off the challenge of her American rival, with Cooke crossing the line in a winning time of 40min 1sec.

Walsh ended just 2sec adrift in a closing fought finale, while Germany’s Jana Majunke rounded off the top three.

Majunke finished in 40:15.

Germany were able to celebrate victory in the men’s T2 race, with Hans-Peter Durst securing World Cup victory by finishing in a time of 47:30.

The 59-year-old was 6sec faster than Giorgio Farroni, with the Italian securing second place.

Joan Reinoso Figuerola of Belgium rounded off the podium places, as he ended 1:28 down on the winning time.

Russia’s Sergei Semochkin emerged as the winner of the men’s T1 competition, as he clocked 56:13.

Sweden’s Rickard Nilsson was 1:03 behind in second, while France’s David Geslot finished third after coming across the line 4:26 off the pace.

The women’s T1 race saw Shelley Gautier claim victory, with the Canada clocking 44:11.

Russia’s Yulia Sibagatova finished 10sec down in second.

Over 300 riders are appearing at the event in the Dutch town's Sportpark Meerdijk.

Along with being the last of the season, the World Cup stage will be the final event before the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships taking place in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, between August 31 and September 3.

Emmen is scheduled to host the 2019 Para-Cycling Road World Championships.