Triple Crankset » Tour de l’Aude

Teutenberg Takes Third Stage, Pooley the Overall – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 9

Lenny B — Tue, 25 May 2010 09:36:57 +0000

In the ninth and final stage of the 26th Tour de l'Aude, Germany's Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) took her third stage of the race and 21st Tour de l'Aude stage of her career. Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) and German Angela Hennig (Noris Cycling) would finish in second and third, respectively.

On the 90.5 km stage in Carcassonne, a group of six, including Adrie Visser (HTC-Columbia), Vicki Whitelaw (Lotto Ladies Team), Andrea Bosman (Leontien.nl), Marie Lindberg (Redsun Cycling), and Americans Carmen Small (US National Team) and Brooke Miller (TIBCO) would get off the front at the the 5km mark.

At the first intermediate sprint in Pomas, Visser, Bosman and Lindberg would contest for the sprint points with Bosman capturing the bonus. Miller, the current leader in the sprint competition, however, was no where to be found as she was felled by a mechanical.

After a series of unsuccessful attacks on the final two categorized climbs of the race, Vos and Teutenberg revealed themselves on the descent of the Col du Poteau. But the group would eventually come back together for the 5 finishing circuits in the town of Carcassonne. At the line, it was all Teutenberg.

Results - Stage 9
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Marianne Vos (NED) Nederland Bloeit
3. Angela Hennig (Ger) Noris Cycling

Cervelo Test Team successfully defended its Tour de l'Aude title, winning both the Team Classification and General Classification with Emma Pooley. The 27-year old Pooley, an Olympic Silver Medalist in the Individual Time Trial in Beijing, is the first Briton to win the prestigious 10 day event.

US National Team members, Mara Abbott (2nd) and Katheryn Mattis (7th), wrapped up the event by finishing in the top ten, while Brooke Miller (TIBCO) took home the Sprint Classification Jersey.

Final General Classification
1. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
3. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
5. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
6. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team
7. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
8. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
9. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
10. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Noris Cycling

Notables
14. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
18. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
19. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
24. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
26. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
28. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
37. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
41. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
47. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
51. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO
52. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
60. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
72. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO

Jersey Winners
General Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Points Classification - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
Sprint Classification - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Mountain Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Best Young Rider - Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit)
Team Classification - Cervelo Test Team

Vos Victorious – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 8

Lenny B — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:29:11 +0000

Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit), the current number one ranked woman by the UCI, had yet to reap the fruits of her labor in this year's edition of the Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin. But that finally changed during Saturday's 112 km Stage 8 form Aunat to Limoux as Vos took the bunch sprint over Ina Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) and TIBCO's Joanne Kiesanowski.

A group of fifteen riders would get away early on the stage. The lead group, which included Loes Gunnewijk, Annemiek Van Vleuten, and Liesbet De Vocht (Nederland Bloiet), Emma Johansson (RedSun), Adrie Visser (HTC-Columbia), Joanne Kiesanowski and Brooke Miller (Tibco), Julia Martisova (Gauss-RDZ-Ormu-Colnago), Carla Swart (MTN Energade), Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany) and Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Vienne-Futuroscope), among others, would put a little over a minute on the pack.

But once the group reached the first and most significant climb of the day, the Col du Font de Razouls at the 49.5 km, only four remained out front. The foursome would reach the 110 km mark before the catch was made.

With 2 km to go and the peloton all together, the sprinters and their teams ratcheted up the speed. At the finish, five riders including Vos, Teutenberg, Kiesanowski, Martisova and Vicki Whitelaw (Lotto Ladies Team) made a dash for the line. Vos would take the sprint rather easily ahead of Teutenberg, with Kiesnowski coming in third.

Results - Stage 8
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
2. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
3. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO

Britain's Emma Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) will head into the final stage of the Tour de l'Aude with maillot jaune on her shoulders. Mara Abbott (US National Team) is the highest placed American in second.

Because of the injuries she sustained during a crash on the Col de Dent, Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia), who sat in 6th place on the GC, did not start Stage 8.

General Classification After Stage 8
1. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
3. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
5. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
6. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team
7. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
8. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
9. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
10. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Noris Cycling

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 8
General Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Points Classification - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
Sprint Classification - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Mountain Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Best Young Rider - Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit)

Next: Stage 9 - CARCASSONNE - CARCASSONNE (90.5km)

Photo: Frantz Delagrange

Pooley Powers to Stage Win, Solidifies Overall Lead – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 7

Lenny B — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:52:45 +0000

Cervelo Test Team's Emma Pooley captured Friday's 105 km Stage 7 of Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin and solidified her lead in the General Classification.

Australian Emma Mackie (Team TIBCO) began the day's affairs by going on the attack at the 23km mark. But on another difficult mountainous stage, which featured four categorized climbs, a select group made the day's selection once the roads began to tilt upwards. Pooley, Cervelo teammates Claudia Häusler and Sharon Laws, Trixi Worrack (Noris Cycling), Emma Johansson (RedSun), and Americans Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia), Mara Abbott (USA National Team) and Katheryn Mattis (US National Team) would once again unhinged themselves from the group.

On the Col de Dent, the toughest pass on the day, Pooley attacked the bunch and gained a significant gap. As on Stage 4, only Abbott would remain in touch with the British rider. Both Stevens and Mattis crashed on the descent of the Dent, but both continued and finished the stage.

At the finish, Pooley proved to be the stronger this time around, as Abbott finished 8 seconds in arrears. Johansson would round out the podium.

Results - Stage 7
1. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
3. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team

With two stages remaining in the 2010 edition of the Tour de l'Aude, the American contingent is having its strongest showing since Amber Neben and Kristin Armstrong finished in first and third overall, respectively in 2005. Three racers, Mara Abbott (US National Team) in 2nd, Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia) in 6th, and Katheryn Mattis (US National Team) in 8th, currently sit in the top ten overall and Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO) has maintained her stranglehold on the Sprint Classification since she first garnered the jersey early on in the race.

Although both Stevens and Mattis completed the stage and maintained their positions on the leader board, Stevens was the worse-for-wear after the crash on the descent of the Col de Dent. She is doubtful for the start of Stage 8.

General Classification After Stage 7
1. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
3. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
5. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
6. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
7. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team
8. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
9. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
10. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit

Notables
16. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
19. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
20. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
22. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
25. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
26. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) German National Team
28. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
30. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
38. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
47. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
52. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
54. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO
57. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
61. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 7
General Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Points Classification - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
Sprint Classification - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Mountain Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Best Young Rider - Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit)

Next: Stage 8 - AUNAT - LIMOUX (112 km)

Two for Teutenberg – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 6

Lenny B — Mon, 24 May 2010 02:32:49 +0000

Ina Yoko Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) continued her domination over the streets of the Aude region of France by taking her second stage in this year's Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin, and 20th overall of her career.

American Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO) animated Thursday's 100 km Stage 6 in Castelnaudary early, jumping out of the pack to grab the first intermediate sprint at the 6 km mark. A group of four, including Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit), Emma Johansson (RedSun) and Adrie Visser (HTC-Columbia) would get off the front at the 19km mark, but the break was short-lived.

Once back in fold, a counter attack by another group of four proved to be the day's final selection. Teutenberg, Julia Martisova (Gauss RDZ Ormu), Annemiek Van Vleuten (Nederland Bloeit), and Prologue winner, Regina Bruins (Cervelo Test Team) built a lead that would at one point extend out to over two minutes.

A late chase by a Vos lead peloton decreased the gap to 1:23, but it proved too little and too late. Teutenberg took the sprint ahead of Martisova, with Van Vleuten settling for third.

Results After Stage 6
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Julia Martisova (Rus) Gauss RDZ Ormu
3. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit

Emma Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) easily retained her lead in the General Classification. Katheryn Mattis (US National Team) is the highest placed American in fourth.

General Classification After Stage 6
1. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
3. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team
4. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
5. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
6. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
7. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
8. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
9. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
10. Liesbet De Vocht (Bel) Nederland Bloeit

Notables
11. Claudia Hausler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
12. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
16. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
18. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
20. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
21. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
23. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
24. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
26. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
30. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) German National Team
31. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
43. Rebecca Much (USA) TIBCO
44. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
49. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
53. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO
57. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
62. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 6
General Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Points Classification - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
Sprint Classification - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Mountain Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Best Young Rider - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit

Next: Stage 7 - Limoux to Roquefeuil (105 km)

Another Day, Another American Victory As Mattis Solos – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 5

Lenny B — Sun, 23 May 2010 02:15:23 +0000

While most American cycling fans have been fixated on the events transpiring on the West Coast with the 6th edition of the Amgen Tour of California, an American contingent of women is making some noise in the longest running UCI event on the women's elite cycle racing calendar, the Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin.

A day after teammate Mara Abbott (USA National Team) fought back on the slopes around Osséja to take Stage 4, and in the town where Kristin Armstrong took the win last year, Katheryn Mattis would solo to victory on the 104.5 km Stage 5 in Amelie Les Bains.

An early aggressor on Stage 4, Mattis continued her assault on the peloton in Amelie Les Bains. In a group that numbered as many as nine, including teammate, Mara Abbott, fellow American Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia), Emma Pooley, Claudia Haüsler and Sharon Laws of Cervelo Test Team, and the Nederland Bloeit duo of Annemiek Van Vleuten and Liesbet De Vocht, among others, Mattis proved to be the strongest and smartest on the day.

Mattis' victory; however, was not without some controversy as Nederland Bloeit teammates, Van Vleuten and De Vocht, had inadvertently taken a wrong turn on their way to a 1-2 finish. The two righted themselves, but would cross the line, in seeming victory, one minute behind Mattis.

Results - Stage 5
1. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
2. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
3. Liesbet De Vocht (Bel) Nederland Bloeit

Great Britain's Emma Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) maintained her lead in the General Classification, but Mattis moved up into second place by virtue of her Stage 5 victory.

General Classification After Stage 5
1. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
3. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
4. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
5. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
6. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
7. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
8. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
9. Liesbet De Vocht (Bel) Nederland Bloeit
10. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team

Notables
11. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
12. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
16. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
18. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
20. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
21. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
22. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
24. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
26. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
31. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
32. Rebecca Much (USA) TIBCO
44. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
54. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO
58. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
63. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 5
General Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Points Classification - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
Mountain Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Sprint Classification - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Best Young Rider - Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit)

Next: Stage 6 - CASTELNAUDARY - CASTELNAUDARY (100 km)

Photo: Frantz Delagrange

America’s Abbott Takes Flight, Pooley Climbs Into Jersey – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 4

Lenny B — Sat, 22 May 2010 20:17:44 +0000

Resilient Abbott confirms her position as one of America's top riders, while Cervelo's Pooley takes the lead in the General Classification.

Mara Abbott (US National Team), who rides domestically for the California based Peanut Butter & Co. TWENTY12, was once America's cycling darling, with many media outlets anointing her the next American World Champion after a sensational career at Whitman College in Washington. But despite numerous podium placings and stage victories in some of the toughest European races, the attention largely went away, whether fairly or unfairly.

Perhaps it was a by-product of Abbott taking on a mostly European schedule with her former team, HTC-Columbia, or America's penchant to look for the next best thing, like phenom Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia), but Abbott's talents alone merit that the 24-year old remain solidly in the conversation of who might pick up the mantle of American women's cycling next.

On Stage 4 in the Pyrenees-Orientales region of France, a resilient Abbott would dig deep and overtake Cervelo Test Team's Emma Pooley in the closing kilometers of the mountainous stage to claim the victory. Stevens, riding in her first extended stage race, finished in third.

Tuesday's Stage 4 covered a distance of 97 km in Osséja and featured two intermediate sprints and three major climbs. Katheryn Curi Mattis (US National Team) set the early pace, going on the offensive solo, at the 11 km mark. She was joined by a select group, which included Cervelo Test Team teammates, Regina Bruins, Sharon Laws and Pooley, Emma Johansson (RedSun Cycling), Stevens and Abbott, shortly thereafter in Font-Romeu.

The lead pack stayed together relatively well over the subsequent slopes, but the race blew apart once it approached the Col de Creu. The trio of Stevens, Pooley and Abbott upped the tempo and easily went away from their breakaway companions. With another huge surge, Pooley tried to break the two Americans in the closing kilometers, gaining a slim margin over the pair. But Abbott would pull her back and pipped Pooley at the line to take the stage. Stevens would hang on to claim third.

Results - Stage 4
1. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
2. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
3. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women

By virtue of her second place finish on the stage, Emma Pooley pulled into the lead of the General Classification over Adrie Visser (HTC Columbia), who finished in the main field some 3 minutes back.

General Classification After Stage 4
1. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
3. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
4. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
5. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
6. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
7. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl
8. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team
9. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
10. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team

Notables
11. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
12. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
14. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
19. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
20. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
24. Julie Beveridge (Can) Vienne Futuroscope
25. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
29. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
33. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) German National Team
35. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
36. Rebecca Much (USA) TIBCO
37. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
45. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
47. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO
55. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
58. Katharine Carrol (USA) US National Team
62. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
65. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO
81. Kristin McGrath (USA) US National Team

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 4
General Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Points Classification - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
Sprint Classification - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Mountain Classification - Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Best Young Rider - Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl

Next: Stage 5 - AMELIE Les Bains – AMELIE Les Bains (104.5 km)

Photo: Frantz Delagrange

Teutenberg Takes Sprint, American Small Third – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 3

Lenny B — Thu, 20 May 2010 07:38:52 +0000

Ina Yoko Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia), who has garnered at least one win in each Tour de l'Aude in which she has participated, claimed another by taking Monday's 110km Stage 3 in Lezignan Corbières.

Teutenberg took the initiative early in the stage escaping from the pack with Andrea Bosman (Ned) Leontien.nl at the 14 km mark. The break was short lived, but the same pair would get off the front again later on in the stage. As winds created a split in the peloton, the pair was joined this time by Americans Brooke Miller (Team TIBCO) and Carmen Small (USA National Team). The four worked well together, but after collecting the intermediate sprint to add to her lead in the sprint competition, Miller sat up.

The break, now numbering three, continued down the road and built a lead of over 6 minutes. The Cervelo Test Team would do the majority of the work at the front of the peloton to close down the gap, but the trio would make it easily to the finish. Teutenberg, the best sprinter of the group, easily out-kicked Bosman and Small to take her 19 career victory at the Tour de l'Aude, which is the record for most stage wins in the history of the event.

Although she was unable to take the stage win, American Carmen Small (USA National Team), who rides for Colavita/Baci presented by Cooking Light domestically, continued to display her strong form this season. Her third place finish on the day allowed her to move up to 12th in the General Classification.

Results - Stage 3
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
2. Andrea Bosman (Ned) Leontien.nl
3. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team

With her teammate in the break, HTC-Columbia did little work to defend Adrie Visser's lead in the General Classification.

General Classification After Stage 3
1. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
2. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
3. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl
4. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team
5. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
6. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
7. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
8. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
9. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
10. Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu

Notables
12. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
14. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
16. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
17. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Noris Cycling
20. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
21. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
26. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
27. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
28. Mara Abbot (USA) US National Team
29. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO
30. Rebecca Much (USA) TIBCO
38. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
40. Julie Beveridge (Can) Vienne Futuroscope
43. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
46. Katharine Carrol (USA) US National Team
49. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO
59. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
60. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
71. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
80. Kristin McGrath (USA) US National Team
82. Elizabeth Hatch (USA) Lotto Ladies Team

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 3
General Classification - Regina Bruins (Cervelo Test Team)
Points Classification - Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
Sprint Classification - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Mountain Classification - Andrea Bosman (Ned) Leontien.nl
Best Young Rider - Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl

Next: Stage 4 - OSSEJA – OSSEJA (97 km)

Cervelo Test Team, Time Trial Strong – Tour de l’Aude, Stage 2

Lenny B — Mon, 17 May 2010 14:30:37 +0000

The defending champions of the Tour de l'Aude Feminine did not have much to prove coming into this year's race; Cervelo Test Team was already considered one of the strongest teams in the women's professional peloton. But just in case there may have been some doubt to that claim, even after winning the Prologue and first stage of the Tour de l'Aude, the women of Cervelo Test Team would remove all doubt after Sunday's Stage 2 Team Time Trial.

Despite losing race leader, Elizabeth Armiststead, to a mechanical in the first few kilometers, the team did not miss a beat as they continued to bare down on the finish line to set the best time on the day. Unfortunately for Armiststead, who would cross the line some 3 minutes behind her jubilant team, she would lose the leader's jersey and slide well down the General Classification.

Team HTC-Columbia, behind a strong effort by American Evelyn Stevens, Adrie Visser, and Linda Villmusen would slot into second, 35 seconds behind, while the Marianne Vos led Nederland Bloeit would take third.

With HTC-Columbia's strong effort, Netherland's Adrie Visser would claim the top spot on the General Classification.

Results - Stage 2
1. Cervelo Test Team
2. Team HTC-Columbia
3. Nederland Bloeit

Another strong day for the American contingent at the Tour de l'Aude as the USA National Team and Team TIBCO would finish just off the podium in 4th and 5th, respectively. Katheryn Mattis (USA National) continued to display her good form and now sits in third place on the GC, 40 seconds behind HTC-Columbia's Visser.

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
2. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
3. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
4. Regina Bruins (Ned) Cervelo Test Team
5. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl
6. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
7. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
8. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
9. Petra Dijkman (Ned) Redsun Cycling Team
10. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women

Notables
11. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
12. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
13. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
17. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
18. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
19. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
20. Katharine Carrol (USA) US National Team
21. Mara Abbott (USA) US National Team
22. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) TIBCO
23. Rebecca Much (USA) TIBCO
31. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Noris Cycling
34. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) German National Team
40. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
43. Julie Beveridge (Can) Vienne Futuroscope
53. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
56. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
58. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
70. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO
71. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
72. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
87. Elizabeth Hatch (USA) Lotto Ladies Team
91. Kristin McGrath (USA) US National Team

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 2
General Classification - Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
Best Young Rider - Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl

Next: Stage 3 - LEZIGNAN Corbières – LEZIGNAN Corbières (110 km)

Cervelo Test Team’s Armitstead Rolls, Tour de l’Aude, Stage 1

Lenny B — Sun, 16 May 2010 15:12:37 +0000

Great Britain's Elizabeth Armitstead garnered her biggest victory in her young career yesterday by taking Stage 1 of the Tour de l'Aude. The race was decided fairly early as the precocious 21-year-old and eight others, including America's Brooke Miller (TIBCO), TIBCO teammate, Emma Mackie, Chantal Blaak (Leontien.nl), Adrie Visser (HTC-Columbia), Romy Kasper (Noris), Loes Gunnewijk (Nederland Bloeit), Petra Dijkman (Red Sun Cycling), and Martine Bras (Gauss-RDZ-Ormu) made the final selection at the 26km mark.

The nine would later be joined by Katheryn Mattis (USA National Team) and Béatrice Thomas (Esgl 93 - Gsd Gestion) who bridged across the gap at the 46km mark.

On the road, Miller, the former US National Champion, looked absolutely dominant in the intermediate sprints, earning herself the lead in the sprint competition at day's end.

But ultimately, the day belonged to Cervelo Test Team once again. A flurry of late attacks by Mattis and Dijkman drew out the trio of Armitstead and the Dutch pair of Blaak and Visser, but neither was much of a challenge for Armitstead in the finale as she out-kicked both and cruised to the stage win.

Results - Stage 1
1. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl
3. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women

It was a relatively strong day for the American contingent as both Brooke Miller (5th) and Katheryn Mattis (9th) placed in the top ten on the day. Both would move up in the General Classification standings, sitting at 5th and 6th, respectively.

Notables
5. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
9. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
11. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO
12. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
14. Emma Johansson (Swe) Redsun Cycling Team
15. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Noris Cycling
23. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
24. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
25. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Tibco
31. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Cervelo Test Team
42. Ruth Corset (Aus) TIBCO
44. Julie Beveridge (Can) Vienne Futuroscope
45. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC Columbia Women
47. Chloe Hosking (Aus) HTC Columbia Women
48. Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) HTC Columbia Women
49. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervelo Test Team
50. Carmen Small (USA) US National Team
53. Andrea Dvorak (USA) US National Team
59. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC Columbia Women
64. Rebecca Much (USA) TIBCO
67. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) German National Team
77. Mara Abbot (USA) US National Team
80. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
87. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO
92. Kristin McGrath (USA) US National Team
101. Elizabeth Hatch (USA) Lotto Ladies Team

General Classification After Stage 1
1. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
2. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
3. Chantal Blaak (Ned) Leontien.nl
4. Loes Gunnewijk (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
5. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
6. Katheryn Mattis (USA) US National Team
7. Martine Bras (Ned) Gauss RDZ Ormu
8. Petra Dijkman (Ned) Redsun Cycling Team
9. Emma Mackie (Aus) TIBCO
10. Béatrice Thomas (Fra) Esgl 93 - Gsd Gestion

Jersey Leaders - After Stage 1
General Classification - Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Sprinter - Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
Points - Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team
Best Young Rider - Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervelo Test Team

Next: Stage 2 - Team Time Trial - CLERMONT l'Hérault – CLERMONT l'Hérault (34.5 km)

Bruins In A Hurry – Tour de l’Aude, Prologue

Lenny B — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:08:32 +0000

The Tour de l'Aude, the longest running tour in women's cycling, began today with a 3.9 km Prologue in Gruissan.

The Netherland's Annemiek van Vleuten (Nederland Bloeit) set the early mark, being the first to traverse the distance in under five minutes. Van Vleuten would stay in the hot seat until midway through the race, when Cervelo Test Team's Emma Pooley, winner of this year's La Flèche Wallonne Féminine, bested her time by 1 second.

But it was Pooley's teammate who would have the final say as Regina Bruins crossed the line in 4'48".46 to take the victory. Linda Villumsen (HTC-Columbia) finished in second, and Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) in third.

The 26th edition of the Tour de l'Aude, scheduled from May 14 to 23, will cover 874.4 km on the roads of the French region of Aude, situated in southwestern France close to the Pyrenees. The 10-stage race, which includes a team time trial on Stage 2, will crown a champion on May 23 in Carcassonne.

Results - Prologue
1. Regina Bruins (NED) Cervelo Test Team
2. Linda Villumsen (NZL) HTC-Columbia
3. Marianne Vos (NED) Nederland Bloeit

Among the notables is America's newest cycling sensation, Evelyn Stevens (HTC-Columbia), who is racing in her first Tour de l'Aude. Stevens would finish in 6th on the day. Unfortunately, Steven's teammate, Emilia Fahlin, is not listed among the finishers. Fahlin was a late scratch from the race due to a case of chicken pox.

Notables
4. Emma Pooley (GBR) Cervelo Test Team
6. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC-Columbia
8. Elizabeth Armistead (GBR) Cervelo Test Team
9. Hanka Kupfernagel (GER) Germany
10. Emma Johansson (SWE) RedSun Cycling
11. Ina Teutenberg (GER) HTC-Columbia
12. Claudia Hausler (GER) Cervelo Test Team
22. Katharine Carroll (USA) USA National Team
25. Katheryn Mattis (USA) USA National Team
27. Ruth Corset (AUS) TIBCO
30. Julie Beveridge (CAN) Vienne Futuroscope
31. Trixi Worrack (GER Noris Cycling
32. Brooke Miller (USA) TIBCO
34. Carla Ryan (AUS) Cervelo Test Team
36. Andrea Dvorak (USA) USA National Team
38. Elizabeth Hatch (USA) Lotto Ladies Team
39. Chloe Hosking (AUS) HTC-Columbia
41. Carla Swart (RSA) MTN
43. Kristin McGrath (USA) USA National Team
49. Carmen Small (USA) USA National Team
50. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZL) TIBCO
53. Rebecca Much (USA) TIBCO
78. Mara Abbott (USA) USA National Team
98. Amanda Miller (USA) TIBCO

General Classification After Prologue
1. Regina Bruins (NED) Cervelo Test Team
2. Linda Villumsen (NZL) HTC-Columbia
3. Marianne Vos (NED) Nederland Bloeit
4. Emma Pooley (GBR) Cervelo Test Team
5. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
6. Evelyn Stevens (USA) HTC-Columbia
7. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC Columbia Women
8. Elizabeth Armistead (GBR) Cervelo Test Team
9. Hanka Kupfernagel (GER) Germany
10. Emma Johansson (SWE) RedSun Cycling

Jersey Leaders
General Classification - Regina Bruins (Cervelo Test Team)
Points - Regina Bruins (Cervelo Test Team)
Best Young Rider - Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit)

Next: Stage 1 - RIEUX Minervois to RIEUX Minervois (117 km)