24th Tour de l'Aude - 2.2

France, May 16-25, 2008

Photography

Stage 9 - May 25: Limoux – Limoux , 71 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson / www.womenscycling.net

• The race is provided rolling closed roads by the Gendarmerie. They are recruited from the region each year, some return regularly when duty permits
• Sara Carrigan (Lotto Belisol) on the way to the start.
• Canadian Road Champion Gina Grain (Webcor) was happy that it was the final stage.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) had the mountains jersey sewn up before the start of the final stage.
• Monica Holler (Bigla) lines up in the red sprints jersey.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini - Selle Italia) waiting to start the final stage, aware that it would be fast and there would be a lot of action.
• Webcor's Christine Thorburn gets a last-minute rub on the start line.
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) was pensive before the final stage.
• The Deputy Mayor of Limoux started the race.
• Sara Carrigan (Lotto Belisol) went on another solo attack on the final stage.
• The bunch rides up the first climb of the day.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) rolls across the line as stage winner, Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) disputes the line taken by Arndt 50 metres earlier.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini-Selle Italia) wins the Tour de l'Aude with a second place on the stage.
• Angela Brodtka (DSB Bank) won the points jersey by winning the bunch sprint for fifth place behind the leaders.
• The final podium at Limoux: Angela Brodtka (Team DSB Bank), Monica Holler (Bigla Cycling Team), Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung), Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini - Selle Italia) and Judith Arndt (Team High Road Women).
• Angela Brodtka (DSB Bank) took the points jersey.
• Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) was awarded the stage winner's jersey despite finishing third as the first two wore other jerseys…ironic considering her appeal.
• Monica Holler (Bigla) was the sprint champion of Tour de l'Aude. She held the jersey from the first stage.
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) was the best young rider in 2008.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini - Selle Italia) successfully defended her 2007 title. She is seen here with the Vice President of the Aude Region's Sports Commission.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) won the stage and took the mountains jersey.

Stage 8 - May 24: Bram - Bram , 116 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson / www.womenscycling.net

• The village of Fanjeaux looms above the road on a damp Aude day. This was the first climb of the day
• The bridge in Fanjeaux provides a great view down on the riders
• The bunch approaches, the Americans are up there on the front of the bunch
• Natalie Bates (Menikini Selle Italia) and Linda Villumsen (High Road) in the bunch
• Vera Koodoeder (Lotto Belisol) follows a wheel
• Adrie Visser (DSB Bank) has just made her break The bunch are beginning to chase
• Natalie Bates (Menikini Selle Italia) looks across as Anke Wichmann (High Road) puts her head down to chase Visser
• Jessica Allen (GBR) is the youngest rider in the Tour de l'Aude, she is 19 years old at the moment
• Adrie Visser (DSB Bank) drives hard on her own on the road in Pezens
• Race leader, Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) in the bunch
• Trixi Worrack (Équipe Nürnberger) leads the chase of Visser on Col de la Malepère
• A French rider prepares to put her bidon into its cage after collecting a drink
• Christine Thorburn (Webcor) descends through Montréal
• Adrie Visser (DSB Bank) near the summit of Col de la Malepère
• Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (High Road) wins the stage and equals the record of 15 victories at Tour de l'Aude, held by Petra Roßner
• Teutenberg smiles as she considers whether to return in 2009 to attempt to beat the record she now holds with Roßner
• Second on the stage, Sara Carrigan (Lotto Belisol) wears the stage winner jersey, Teutenberg will wear the points jersey
• Monica Holler (Bigla) has put the sprints jersey out of reach from her nearest competitor, Elodie Touffet
• Stage winner and points jersey leader, Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (High Road)
• Judith Arndt (High Road) kept the mountains jersey Although there are two climbs on the final stage, she cannot be caught
• Claudia Hausler (Équipe Nürnberger) smiles as she collects another pink jersey
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) will go into the short (71km) final stage with 3'38" over second placed Arndt
• The Bram stage podium : Holler (obs), Hausler (obs), Arndt, Carrigan, Ljungskog, Teutenberg

Stage 7 - May 23: Castelnaudary – Castelnaudary , 108 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Anke Wichmann (High Road) waits in the bunch for the start.
• Monica Holler (Bigla) with Katherine Carroll (USA) on her shoulder, early in the stage.
• Veronica Andreasson (Bigla) battles to stay in touch with a group on the climb.
• Emma Pooley (GBR) finished outside the time limit and so will not be permitted to start Stage 8.
• Adrie Visser (DSB Bank) leads the breakaway group which includes Elodie Touffet (RDZ Gauss), right.
• Natalie Bates (Menikini Selle Italia) rides at the front with her team-mates to help Susanne Ljungskog defend the race lead.
• The break descends a twisty, narrow lane in Villepinte.
• Bates leads the Menikini team at the front of the chase group in Villepinte.
• Tina Liebig (DSB Bank) in the bunch.
• The lead group on the climb to St Amans.
• Monica Holler (Bigla) just dropped off the pace of the main bunch near St Amans.
• The chasers look at each other for a reaction. At the front are Cooke and Ljungskog.
• The Great Britain team line up behind points jersey wearer, Nicole Cooke.
• Winner into Axat - Vikki Whitelaw (AUS) wears the stage winner jersey.
• The jersey wearer’s line up for the start in Castelnaudary.
• Monica Holler arrives at the start with just a couple of minutes to go.
• The break climb a tree-lined lane near Labécède Lauragais.
• The bunch chases the break led by Menikini Selle Italia for the race leader.
• Moutains competition leader, Judith Arndt (High Road) about to overtake Diane Ziliute (Lithuania).
• Suzanne De Goede (Nurnberger) climbs strongly with a member of the French team.
• Zoulfia Zabirova (Bigla) takes her second stage of the 2008 Tour de l'Aude.
• Katherine Carroll (USA) leads the sprint to take second place easily from Martine Bras (NED).
• The bunch comes back together after splitting for a roundabout just 250m from the finish.
• Diane Ziliute (Lithuania) leads the bunch sprint for eleventh, nearly 5 minutes down.
• Zoulfia Zabirova (Bigla) smiles as she is introduced as stage winner.
• Katherine Carroll (USA) was second, but will wear the stage winner jersey because Zabirova has the points jersey.
• Zabirova took the points jersey after her stage 7 performance.
• Monica Holler (Bigla) kept hold of her sprinter's jersey.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) in the mountains jersey .
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger) is the young rider competition leader.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) maintained the race lead after stage 7.
• The podium with the jersey wearers: Carroll, Zabirova, Holler, Ljungskog, Arndt.

Stage 6 - May 22: Rennes Les Bains - Axat, 117 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Chrissie Ruitter (USA National Team) rides to the start.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) is interviewed for regional TV.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) signs on as mountains leader.
• Sara Carrigan (Lotto Belisol) stretches as she waits for the start.
• The bunch on the first climb of the day, the Col de Valmigere, with its striking red soil.
• Sigrid Corneo (Menikini Selle Italia) in the bunch.
• The Equipe Nurnberger team leading the bunch on the Col de la Fage. Nicole Cooke (Great Britain National Team) and Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini) follow.
• Suzanne De Goede (Equipe Nurnberger) on the front of the team train.
• The jersey wearers (l-r): Monica Holler (Bigla) and Angela Brodtka (DSB Bank).
• Marina Duvnjak (Team Swift)
• Vicki Whitelaw (Australian National Team) sprints to the finish ahead of Sharon Laws (Great Britain National Team) and Regina Bruins (Dutch National Team).
• A weary victory wave from Whitelaw.
• Carla Ryan (Australian National Team) is having a strong tour too. She finished just ahead of the main bunch today.
• Stage 5 winner Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (High Road) finishes with team-mate Luise Keller and Zoulfia Zabirova (Bigla).
• Vicki Whitelaw (Australian National Team) wearing the stage winner's jersey.
• Monica Holler (Bigla) is still in the sprinter's jersey.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) kept the mountains jersey.
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger) wears the young rider's competition jersey.
• Race leader Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) could be unbeatable now the major climbs are over in 2008.

Stage 5 - May 21: Toulouges - Toulouges , 112 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Erika Vilunaite (LTU) feels the strain of the climb
• Amanda Spratt (Australia) on Col Fourtou
• Marlen Johrend (Germany) changes gear at the summit of Col Fourtou
• Catherine Hare (GBR) leads a group chasing the leaders on the climbs
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) arrives for the start
• Emma Pooley (GBR) leads the bunch through narrow village streets
• Judith Arndt (High Road) accelerates to ensure maximum mountains competition points
• Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (High Road) takes her fourteenth career win at Aude and her first on the Tour in 2008
• The jersey wearers : Hausler, Brodtka, Arndt, Holler, Ljungskog, Teutenberg

Stage 4 - May 20: Osseja – Osseja , 101 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Race leader, Judith Arndt (High Road) prepares for the day, as she tests her radio.
• The bunch rolls out of Osseja three major climbs lay ahead.
• Sara Carrigan (Lotto Belisol) with only the neutral spares moto for company.
• Mountains jersey leader, Sharon Laws (GBR) follows team-mate, Emma Pooley.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) was at the back of the bunch on the second climb.
• The summit of Col de Creu, Susanne Ljungskog is on her own with over a minute advantage already.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) wins the stage, a repeat for the team in Osseja - Fabiana Luperini won here in 2007.
• The Ljungskog victory salute.
• Alison Powers (USA) manages a sprint as she takes second place.
• Emma Johansson (AA Drink) finished third.
• Nikki Egyed shows the strain of her effort as she finishes fourth.
• Sharon Laws (GBR) rides in with Maryline Salvetat (FRA) but loses hold of the mountains jersey.
• Erinne Willock (Webcor) had a good day in the mountains.
• Linda Villumsen (High Road), glad the day is over, no doubt.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) leads in the group she was with, but not close enough to Ljungskog to keep the yellow jersey.
• Sara Carrigan (Lotto Belisol) coasts home. After her earlier effort, she finished thirtieth.
• The beautiful backdrop of the Pyrenees for this fourth stage of the Tour de l'Aude.
• The chasers reach the summit of Col de Creu over a minute down on Susanne Ljungskog.
• Julia Martisova (Gauss RDZ) in the chase group.
• Christine Thorburn (Webcor) looks comfortable on the climb.
• Alison Powers (USA) was presented the stage winner jersey, Susanne Ljungskog was presented with yellow.
• Monica Holler (Bigla) is still in the sprints jersey.
• Nicole Cooke (GBR) in the points jersey.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) pulls on the mountains jersey The yellow, race lead, jersey will go elsewhere tonight.
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger) is getting used to wearing the young rider competition jersey.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) in the yellow jersey.
• The jersey wearers line up: Hausler, Holler, Ljungskog, Arndt and Cooke.

Stage 3 - May 19: Lezignan Corbières – Lezignan Corbières , 111 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Early in the race, Zoulfia Zabirova (Bigla) was obvious at the front of the bunch
• The hills are in the background, but there were no long climbs today
• As the bunch negotiates a corner, Zabirova is still close to the front
• Race leader, Judith Arndt (High Road) tucked in the bunch, behind Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger)
• Sprinters Vera Koedooder (Lotto) and Gina Grain (Webcor) accelerate out of a corner
• Angela Brodtka (DSB Bank) bides her time in the bunch before launching a solo attack
• First race leader of 2008, Katie Mactier (AUS) in the bunch
• Russian Champion, Natalia Boyarskaya (Fenixs)
• Angela Brodtka (DSB Bank), away on her own. With a lead of about 45 seconds
• The chase group, including Zabirova and Diane Ziluite (Lithiania), who would go on to win the sprint for third.
• Team Swift enjoy the team talk before the start
• Webcor Builders team, ready to go
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger) puts on her track mitts at the start
• Race vehicles and the start / finish arch in Lezignan Corbieres
• Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (High Road) follows Sharon Laws (GB) in the blue mountains jersey
• Zoulfia Zabirova (Bigla) celebrates her win
• Angela Brodtka (DSB Bank) sits up as she crosses the line second
• Diane Ziluite (Lithuania) sprints in to take third.
• Gina Grain (Webcor) knows she didn't beat Ziluite
• Monica Holler (Bigla) retained the sprints jersey
• Arndt, Zabirova and Laws - the jersey wearers
• Susanne Ljungskog and Claudia Hausler on the podium

Stage 2 - May 18: Port La Nouvelle – Port La Nouvelle (TTT), 27 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• The first team off wait to start - Team Swift
• A happy Great Britain team pose for a photo before the start
• Noemi Cantele's number is fixed onto her skinsuit for her
• The Fenixs team began the day with four riders, the first three counted in this TTT
• Katherine Carroll leads the USA team away from the start
• The French team accelerate together
• Zoulfia Zabirova (left) and her Team Bigla team-mates
• Three Americans finished together : Rais, Neben and Powers
• Magali Le Floche (R) leads the French team home
• Diane Ziluite leads the Lithuanian team away
• Sarah Carrigan at the front of the Lotto Belisol team
• Natalie Bates and Miho Oki finish with Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia)
• The Webcor team includes Alex Wrubleski
• Amanda Spratt leads the Australian team from the start
• Suzanne De Goede on the front of Equipe Nurnberger
• Judith Arndt leads the High Road team, by the end of the day, she would lead the race
• Sharon Laws heads up Great Britain, Nicole Cooke glances over her shoulder
• Katie Mactier brings the Aussies home
• Ina-Yoko Teutenberg winds up the pace for High Road as Judith Arndt (L) gasps for air
• Nicole Cooke opened up a gap on the other two counters in the Great Britain team in the final metres
• The stage winner's jersey is white…….
• Ellen van Dijk was the Dutchwoman awarded the stage win
• Monica Holler (Team Bigla) in the sprints jersey
• Susanne Ljngskog moved from yellow to green (points) jersey
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger) leads the young rider competition
• Judith Arndt (High Road) took over the race lead from Susanne Ljungskog
• The competition leaders : Arndt, Ljungskog, Holler, Hausler
• Judith Arndt (High Road) juggles several bouquets of flowers as Susanne Ljungskog shakes hands in the TV covered podium ceremony
• An outbreak of jumping toy prunes affects the Dutch team as they enjoy their stage win

Stage 1 - May 17: Rieux Minervois – Rieux Minervois , 107 km

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Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• The Australian team ride to the sign on before the stage
• Points jersey wearer, Susanne Ljungskog Menikini Selle Italia) before the start
• Checking the gears are working - Webcor style
• The bunch rolls out, early in the stage
• Helen Wyman (Swift), prior to the breakaway which she was in for the first half of the race
• Race leader, Katie Mactier (AUS) lines up for the start
• The bunch negotiates a tight corner on a street in Bagnoles, typical of the Aude region
• Competition leaders, Mirjam Melchers van Poppel (left) and Alison Powers (right) in Bagnoles
• The breakaway group sprint for the finish, accompanied by a flotilla of race motos
• Nicole Cooke (GBR) celebrates as Trixi Worrack (Equipe Nurnberger) coasts in second
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger) leads the group in. She took over the young rider competition
• Nicole Cooke is interviewed on the podium
• Monica Holler (Bigla) wears the sprint jersey
• Judith Arndt (High Road) is the mountains competition leader
• Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nurnberger), the new pink jersey wearer
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia) took the race lead, thanks to a strong first stage
• Trixi Worrack, Susanne Ljungskog and Nicole Cooke on the podium
• Judith Arndt (High Road)
• The break on the early part of the climb

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• The bunch was content to let the break go, knowing the climb would be the make-or-break point in the stage

Prologue - May 16: Gruissan – Gruissan (ITT), 3.9 km

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Images by Ben Atkins / Cyclingnews.com

• Eva Lutz and Claudia Hausler (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) warm up before the 3.9km Prologue - Lutz has her nose stuffed with cotton wool to make sure her airways are clear when she starts.
• Tina Liebig (DSB Bank) has spotted a huge lizard in the undergrowth and tries to point it out to team-mate Adrie Visser.
• DSB Bank is sponsored by Rotor and so they make them some nice custom elliptical rings.
• Irene Van den Broek (AA-Drink) also favours the cotton up the nose technique for warming up.
• 2007 winner Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini-Selle Italia) warms up in the sunshine.
• Trixie Worrack (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) focuses on the road ahead.
• Toni Bradshaw (Team Swift) waits for the time to start.
• Nicole Cooke (Great Britain) is starting to see a rise in form as Beijing approaches.
• Noemi Cantele (Bigla) gives it everything to get the gear turning (on a bike she appears to have borrowed from Kazakh champion and team-mate Zuflia Zabirova).
• Judith Arndt (High Road) powers to the finish.
• Sara Carrigan (Lotto-Belisol) is preparing to defend her Olympic road title this summer.
• Christine Thorburn (Webcor Builders) brings out the special time trial shades again!
• Emma Davies Jones (Team Swift) finishes like a sprinter.
• Diana Ziliute (Lithuania) is a Safi-Pasta Zara Manhattan rider but rides for her national team in this event.
• Emma Pooley (Great Britain) usually rides for Specialized Designs for Women, but is part of the national team to rehearse for Beijing.
• Elodie Touffet (Gauss RDZ Ormu) rides with a lot of strapping and tape on her left ankle.
• Two-time winner Amber Neben (United States) has her nation behind her instead of the usual Team Flexpoint.
• Zulfia Zabirova (Bigla) is the Kazakh time trial as well as road champion.
• Ellen Van Dijk (Netherlands) was bitterly disappointed to be beaten by half a second.
• Edita Pucinskaite (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) is a big favourite - and Lithuanian time trial champion.
• Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini-Selle Italia) prepares to defend her title.
• Team Australia celebrates Katie Mactier's (second left) victory.

Images by CJ Farquharson/WomensCycling.net

• Katie Mactier (AUS) was an early starter but finished fastest.
• Katherine Carroll (USA) regains her TT position after a corner.
• Alexis Rhodes (High Road) on her way to eighth.
• Suzie Godard (Fenixs)
• Maryline Salvetat (France) was smooth as she took 12th place.
• Alison Powers (USA) made it onto the podium with third place.
• Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (High Road) was sixth fastest
• Mirjam Melchers van Poppel (NED) concentrates as she rides to fifth place.
• Gritted teeth from Nicole Cooke (GBR) who was 14th fastest.
• Judith Arndt (High Road) came in eleventh
• Christine Thorburn (Webcor) lived up to her TT palmares. She finished 7 seconds down in ninth place.
• Diane Ziliute (Lithuania) powered to tenth.
• Amber Neben (USA) looked smooth as she came seventh, just three seconds down.
• Ellen van Dijk (NED) wears the Dutch TT Champion skinsuit.
• Linda Villumsen (High Road)
• Last off - defending Champion Susanne Ljungskog (Menikini Selle Italia).
• Ellen van Dijk (NED) leads the young rider competition
• Katie Mactier (AUS) was a happy race leader
• Smiles from the podium : Powers, Ljungskog, Mactier, Teutenberg, Melchers van Poppel (l-r)