February 22, 2006 – In Australia, Lyne Bessette is kicking off the season at her first road race with her new team, T-Mobile. In Stage 1 at the Tour of Geelong – an 8K individual time-trial – Bessette placed 22nd, finishing 42.76 seconds behind stage winner, Austrian Christiane Soeder (Univega Pro Cycling Team).

Stage 1 took place later the same day, a 30K criterium through the streets of Portarlington. Home-town favourite Australian Rochelle Gilmore won the sprint just ahead of Bessette’s teammate, Ina Teutenberg, while Bessette herself finished in 35th.

Bessette is currently in 19th place overall, only 43 seconds back from Austria’s Chrristiane Soeder who is leading.

Stage 3 of the four-stage race takes place today – a 10K circuit road race which the women will ride for a total of 80K.