May 22/07 2:54 am - Tour de l'Aude: Stage 4 report & results

Posted by Editoress on 05/22/07
 

Tour de l'Aude France
Report Courtesy Team expresscopy.com

A disappointing day for Team expresscopy.com on day four of racing in the Tour de l'Aude. The technical 107km around Castelnaudary started off well with Meshy Holt attacking off the front twice in the first 15km, and making an attempt for points in the first sprint at the 18km mark that came at the top of a steep climb.

Approaching the 30km mark, identified by a steep descent into a sharp corner, a group of 45 riders rolled off the front of the bunch and "disappeared down the road", crossing the finish line 15minutes up on the rest of the riders. Unfortunately Team expresscopy.com was not represented in the lead group, which eventually saw Marianne Vos cross the line first.

"It was a long day in the laughing group, and it wasn't very funny", said Meshy Holt after the race. Discussing the day's effort Team expresscopy.com are tired but remain positive and realistic about where they are coming from and where they are going.

"The racing is so different to riding at home," said Jessica, "you have to ignore the fact that you are vulnerable out there, I think we are still a little tentative, slightly more cautious than the other riders". A sentiment the rest of the Team agrees on.

Director Sportif, Jeff Alexander is optimistic, " the more racing we do over here the better, already the girls are descending faster, their leg speed has increased and they are doing better with positioning, I think if they were more comfortable with the style of riding they all would have made the cut today, they certainly have the capability, and the experience they are gaining in this Tour is invaluable".

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jessica who got to pee in a cup on her birthday! Sorry Jess, you will have to save the celebrating for when you get home!!

Stage 4: Castelnaudary to Castelnaudary, 107km

1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank, 3:00:52
2. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Team - Women
3. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team
4. Julia Martisova (Rus) FRW - Gauss
5. Tanja Hennes (Ger) Bigla Cycling Team
6. Sigrid Corneo (Ita) Menikini - Gysko
7. Olga Slyusareva (Rus) Fenixs - HPB
8. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint
9. Dorte Lohse Rasmussen (Den) Menikini - Gysko
10. Daiva Tuslaite (Ltu) Lithuania, ALL S.T.

53. Joelle Numainville (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 21:03
94. Amanda Shaw (Can) Team Expresscopy.com
102. Jessica Phillips (USA) Team Expresscopy.com
104. Erinne Willock (Can) Team Expresscopy.com
107. Melissa Holt (NZl) Team Expresscopy.com
109. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, all s.t.

GC

1. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Team - Women, 10:16:13
2. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint, at 0:18
3. Kim Anderson (USA) T-Mobile Team - Women, 0:27
4. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Team Flexpoint, 0:30
5. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe N urnberger Versicherung, 0:43
6. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team, 0:49
7. Priska Doppmann (Sui) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team, 0:54
8. Sarah Duster (Ger) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team, 0:55
9. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank, s.t.
10. Andrea Thurig (Sui) Bigla Cycling Team1:04

62. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 24:46
63. Jessica Phillips (USA) Team Expresscopy.com, 24:56
64. Melissa Holt (NZl) Team Expresscopy.com, 24:59
73. Amanda Shaw (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 28:02
84. Joelle Numainville (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 31:41
99. Erinne Willock (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 38:52