May 21/03 1:40 am - Tour de L'Aude: Bessette Takes Over Lead, Bikes on Broadway Stage race (SK)

Posted by Editoress on 05/21/03
 

Tour de L'Aude France
Courtesy Team Saturn

Tour de L'Aude continued today in Caustenaldry with an individual test of truth. An individual 31 kilometer effort against the clock, the wind and terrain left no room to hide. With only nine seconds separating Saturn's Lyne Bessette and race leader Anita Valen, a lot was on the line for both women. Grey skies met green fields of peas in rolling terrain, as the first rider headed out at 2 PM. Spectators had to wait for three hours until the top riders in the GC took their best shot at moving up.

Riders left at two minute intervals until the last ten, where three minute intervals separated them. Times began coming in at the 51 minute mark, but as the afternoon wore on, the skies settled into a quiet hue and the winds calmed with later times reflecting the softening wind.

As the times came in it was clear that Sara Carrigan would be the time to beat. At the half way mark Carrigan had bested her nearest competitor by over 1:20. She ended up with a stunning time of 45:19. She was followed by countrywoman Olivia Gollan who finished 45 seconds slower than Carrigan. Rounding out the top three was Judith Arndt with four seconds behind Gollan. Saturn's Bessette finished fifth but her time was good enough to move her into the Yellow Jersey. She leads the race by 1:17 over Arndt. Gollan was rewarded for her effort by sky rocketing up the classification into third, 1:21 back. Valen slipped back into sixth, 1:54 behind Bessette.

Tomorrow's course in and around the cols of the area Caustenaldry, and the Saturn Team will certainly have their work cut out for them defending the Bessette's lead against the certain onslaught of attacks from Arndt's Nurnberger Team.

Stage 5: Castelnaudary ITT, 31.5km
1. Sara Carrigan (Aus) 45:19
2. Olivia Gollan (Aus) at 0:43
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) Nurnberger - 1:16
4. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) 1:16
5. Lyne Bessette (Can) Saturn - 1:18

Overall:

1. Bessette
2. Arndt
3. Gollan


Bikes on Broadway Stage Race May 17-18
Courtesy Sask Cycling Association Association

Results from the 3 day Stage Race.