May 25/03 1:10 am - Tour de L'Aude: Stage 9

Posted by Editoress on 05/25/03
 

Tour de L'Aude
Courtesy Team Saturn

The final stage of the Tour de L'Aude marked the end of a Tour that finished as it started, with a Nurnberger rider wearing the Maillot Jeune. The ninth and final stage was held on a rolling circuit around the beautiful town of Limoux.

Early in the race a break of six cleared the field with Saturn's Ina Teutenberg heading the charge. The six worked together, never gaining more than 2:00 on the field. With a little less than a lap remaining in the race, a group of three containing stage win threats Alison Wright (AUS) and Rasa Polikeviciute. With nine the gap opened a bit more, but never enough to threaten anyone's placement on the overall classification.

Coming into the finish, the attacks went right and left but in the end it was Saturn's Teutenberg streaking to the front for her second stage win of the Tour and the Saturn Team's fourth. Race leader Judith Arndt finished in the field, Yellow Jersey intact. Second place in the overall, Lyne Bessette maintained her position as well.

The Saturn Team also brought home the Team Classification Title for their efforts, and Manon Jutras received the most combative award for her diligent aggressive riding throughout the ten days.

From France, both Arndt's Nurnberger Team and Bessette's Saturn Team head to Montreal for the World Cup next Saturday and then on to Philadelphia for the Wachovia Liberty Classic on June 8.

Stage 9: Saint Hilaire to Limoux, 109km
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) Saturn

Final Overall
1. Judith Arndt (Ger) Nurnberger
2. Lyne Bessette (Can) Saturn
3. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Catalunya
4. Mirjam Melchers (Ned) Farm Frites

Team GC
1. Saturn
2. RSM -2:43