May 26/02 1:10 am - Tour de L'Aude: Stage 10 and Final GC

Posted by Editoress on 05/26/02
 

Tour de L'Aude Stage 10
Report courtesy Team Saturn



Arndt Wins Title - Teutenberg Points Champion

The Saturn Cycling Team wrapped up a brilliant Tour de L'Aude today with Petra Rossner winning the final stage. Saturn's Judith Arndt won the overall title and Saturn teammate, Ina Teutenberg, finished in the Green Points Champion Jersey.

The final stage of 107 kilometers was a 25 line course followed by 14 laps of a five kilometer course. The entire Saturn team maintained control of the peloton all day with Kristy Scrymgeour setting the pace in the first half of the race, and Catherine Marsal, Teutenberg, and Arndt taking care of the final laps delivering Rossner to the finish and the sixth Saturn stage win of the Tour.

In the last lap, Pia Sunstedt (Figurella) attacked in the only climb of the five kilometer lap. Saturn's Teutenberg made the effort to close the gap to Sunstedt, with the Saturn train beginning the lead-out for Rossner as they caught Sunstedt at the three kilometer to go mark. Marsal took the Saturn riders to one kilometer to go, then Teutenberg powered to the five hundred mark, and from there it was the Yellow Jersey, Arndt, bringing Rossner to the final three-hundred meter mark where she could exact her ruthless finishing speed. She won the stage over Angela Brodtka (Red Bull) in second and France's Magali Lefloch.

The overall remained unchanged from yesterday with Arndt finishing in Yellow, Valentina Polokanova in second and Edita Punshiskaite in third. After wearing the Yellow Jersey for eight days, Saturn's Teutenberg finished an impressive fourth overall. The five women Saturn Team also won the Team competition. And, as if by perfect planning the final stage of the 18th Tour de L'Aude finished, gratefully, before the skies opened up. Anne Marie Thomas has once again set the bar for all international tours to strive to meet, promoting a well organized, challenging, and professional race for the sport of women's cycling.

Stage 10: Saint-Hilaire - Limoux, 107 km

1. Petra Rossner - Saturn Cycling Team
2. Angela Brodtka - Redbull team s.t.
3. Magali Lefloch - FRA s.t.

Final GC
1. Judith Arndt - Saturn Cycling Team
2. Valentina Polokanova - Itera
3. Edita Punshiskaite - Figurella
4. Ina Teutenberg - Saturn Cycling Team

Points GC: InaTeutenberg - Saturn Cycling Team
Climbing GC: Rasa Polikavitchute (Lit)
Sprint GC: Elena Tchalych (Itera team)
Best young rider: Angela Brodtka (Redbull team)