Kiesanowski and Tibco still in the hunt

May 21st, 10. With three stages left in the Tour de l'Aude top women's tour, Team Tibco, with Kiwi Jo Kiesanowski, is still in the hunt for a stage victory.

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg took her 2nd stage victory at the Tour de l'Aude  today ©CJFoto.com

After a great build-up with races all over Europe, Kiesanowski was looking forward to attacking this top tour in great form.  

She had breakaway success on her mind.  

Unfortunately, while her form was great, her health wasn't.

"I had a stomach bug for three days before the tour, so I started depleted! I was running on reserves for a while," Kiesanowski said.

Today's stage proved the turning point for the Kiwi, who said she felt much better.

"I finally felt better again. My legs are fine though, it was just my insides!"

Tomorrow's stage is a big mountain route with four categorised climbs, including an Hors Category (too tough to be classified) climb 79km into the 105km stage.  Tibco rode this course ten days ago and they know exactly what to expect - a hard stage!

The penultimate stage has a few climbs early in the course, and the final stage has a flat profile perfect for the sprinters.

"We're still looking for a stage win. We tried again today by being aggressive at the start. We're bummed we missed the break today, but there are still three days left so we will keep trying!"

While the main goal is a team victory, Kiesanowski said she's hoping for a chance for personal victory too.

"I would love to have a good day too!" she said.

Today's race, 2nd Teutenberg win

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg took her 20th stage victory at the Tour de l'Aude with another aggressive performance. Teutenberg is one of the most feared sprinters in women's cycling, and yet, just like on stage three, she was able to join the breakaway which decided the stage.  

She went on to win the sprint, beating Julia Martisova and Annemiek Van Vleuten.  The main peloton, including Kiesanowski and fellow Kiwi Linda Villumsen (HTC Columbia) peloton finished 1m28s behind. Villumsen has been having a great tour,  she has consistently been in the main chase group protecting her team leaders.

Yesterday's stage was won by Katheryn Mattis after the two lead riders, Marianne Voss and Annemiek Van Vleuten, were taken down a wrong street by a race official (according to Team Tibco). 

The tour lead remains with Cervelo TestTeam's Emma Pooley.

Related articles

• Tour de l'Aude results
• St9: Pooley wins the Tour de l'Aude
• St8: Kiesanowski sprints to 3rd against the world's best
• St7: First British win in the Tour de l'Aude
• St6: Kiesanowski and TIbco still in the hunt
• St4: Cervelo take back Tour de l'Aude lead
• St3: Teutenberg takes win in Tour de l'Aude
• St2: Puncture changes lead in Tour de l'Aude
• St1: Cervelo and TIbco share Tour de l'Aude success
• Prologue: Kiwi opens Tour de l'Aude with a podium result
• Preview: Kiesanowski ready for Tour de l'Aude

The Tour de l'Aude is the top women's tour. The ten day tour runs from May 13-23.