Cervélo TestTeam’s Emma Pooley (GBR) stays in the lead at the Tour de l’Aude, 2:49 ahead of today’s stage winner Katheryn Mattis (USA- US-National Team) who is also currently second in the GC ranking (USA). Pooley, who finished sixth today, and the team once again controlled the 104,5km fifth stage around Amélie les Bains.
Katheryn Mattis claimed the stage-victory, one minute ahead of Annemiek van Vleuten (NED-Nederland Bloeit). Her teammate Liesbet de Vocht (BEL) was third. In the team ranking, Cervélo TestTeam, who have had the lead since the beginning of the tour, now have an advantage of 4:59 on second place Team Nederland Bloeit.
“Honestly the race was not like we expected,” said Egon van Kessel, Sports Director of the Cervélo TestTeam. “The team had to work hard today. A lot of attacks were made. There was a break away with a couple of riders including Emma and Sharon Laws (GBR) over the Col de Corsavy, the first and hardest climb but the group around Marianne Vos came back and the race was open again. At the end, Katheryn Mattis won the stage solo. Emma finished in a good 6th position and stays in the yellow jersey.”
“Well, I didn’t lose anything today so I am quite satisfied with the stage,” said Emma Pooley, post race. “It was a tough day and I hope we will have a bit easier day tomorrow before we start the queen stage on Friday.”
Not all went well today: Unfortunately Carla Ryan (Aus) crashed during the race and in doing so, lost her good position in the overall ranking. The likable lady from down-under finished the race after the crash. However Carla is okay and will be at the start line for the sixth stage tomorrow.
The sixth stage is 100km around Castelnaudary and will include two smaller mountains. From the profile, the stage does not seem like a tough one, but the wind can make it harder.
Stage 5: Amelie Les Bains 104.5km
1. Katheryn Mattis (USA)
2. Annemiek van Vleuten (NED)
3. Liesbet de Vocht (BEL)
Cervélo TestTeam
6. Emma Pooley (GBR) ?
8. Sharon Laws (GBR) ?
9. Regina Bruins (NED) ?
18. Claudia Häusler (GER) ?
21. Carla Ryan (AUS)
24. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBR)
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