May 23/07 4:17 am - Tour de l'Aude: Stage 5

Posted by Editoress on 05/23/07
 

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

The toughest day of riding yet, Stage Five of the Tour de l'Aude was held high in the Pyrenees close to the Spanish border, where riders had to contend with two Hors Categorie climbs, (translated ˆ climbs so tough they are 'beyond category').

The peloton broke up early mid-way through the first 29km climb, which was followed by a fast paced single file descent. Eight riders went off the front and were chased hard by the following group, Anne Samplonius and Jessica Phillips were in the third group with 15 other riders, followed by another 20 including Meshy Holt and Erinne Willock.

"This has been a tough tour to return to after my time off (due to her early season knee injury)", said Erinne, "but I am feeling really good and climbing well."

Unfortunately Joelle and Amanda were both dropped early into the race but bravely fought to stay within the time cut off. Their efforts paid off and they will be on the start line again tomorrow.

Team expresscopy.com remain upbeat and positive, "We had a much better race than yesterday, we are all improving," Anne comments, "by the last day we will be polished and ready to shine".

The girls get to appreciate the beautiful French scenery on the two and a half hour drive home. "I know we rode past a river at some point", said Meshy, "you just can't appreciate it from the seat of a bike".

As an aside ˆ Team expresscopy.com also won 1Euro in the local lottery.

Stage 5: Osseja to Osseja, 110 km

1. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Menikini - Gysko, 3:15:12
2. Claudia Hausler (Ger) Equipe Nurnberger Versicherung, at 2:16
3. Maryline Salvetat (Fra) France, 2:27
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Team - Women, 2:31
5. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nurnberger Versicherung
6. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint
7. Amber Neben (USA) Team Flexpoint, 2:33
8. Nicole Brandli (Sui) Bigla Cycling Team
9. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank, 2:47
10. Priska Doppmann (Sui) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team, s.t.

33. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 12:28
37. Jessica Phillips (USA) Team Expresscopy.com, s.t.
52. Melissa Holt (NZl) Team Expresscopy.com, 22:39
59. Erinne Willock (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, s.t.
92. Joelle Numainville (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 39:07
98. Amanda Shaw (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 49:35

GC

1. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Team - Women, 13:33:56
2. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint, at 0:18
3. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nurnberger Versicherung, 0:43
4. Nicole Brandli (Sui) Bigla Cycling Team, 1:08
5. Priska Doppmann (Sui) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team, 1:10
6. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank, 1:11
7. Andrea Bosman (Ned) Team DSB Bank, 1:59
8. Amber Neben (USA) Team Flexpoint, 2:04
9. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Equipe Nurnberger Versicherung, 2:48
10. Maryline Salvetat (Fra) France, 3:01

46. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 34:43
48. Jessica Phillips (USA) Team Expresscopy.com, 34:53
59. Melissa Holt (NZl) Team Expresscopy.com, 45:07
72. Erinne Willock (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 59:00
86. Joelle Numainville (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 1:08:17
91. Amanda Shaw (Can) Team Expresscopy.com, 1:15:06