May 13, 2005 – Austrian Christiane Soeder won the prologue of the 21st Tour de l’Aude women’s cycling stage race on today, edging out Univega teammate and world time trial champ Karin Thurig of Switzerland by three seconds and Australians Amy Gillett and Alexis Rhodes by 10 seconds. Canada’s top finisher in the 3.9km prologue in Gruissan, France was Lyne Bessette, whose 23rd spot, 23 seconds off the pace, was just better than Erinne Willock (27th, 25 seconds behind). Felicia Greer came in 42nd, 31 seconds off, while Lisa Sweeney finished 72nd, 42 seconds off and Leigh Hobson was in 83rd spot, 45 seconds behind Soeder’s time.

Results

1. Christiane SOEDER (UNIVEGA PCT) 4:57.61 47.176 KM/h
2. Karin THÃœRIG (UNIVEGA PCT) 3″
3. Amy GILLETT (AUSTRALIA) 10″
4. Alexis RHODES (AUSTRALIA) 10″
5. Kristin ARMSTRONG (USA) 14″
6. Larissa KLEINMANN (GERMANY) 15″
7. Sara CARRIGAN (VAN BEMMELEN) 16″
8. Mirjam MELCHERS (BUITENPOORT) 16″
9. Oenone WOOD (NURNBERGER) 16″
10. Edwige PITEL (UNIVEGA PCT) 17″

23. Lyne BESSETTE (CANADA) 23″
27. Erinne WILLOCK (CANADA) 25″
42. Felicia GREER (CANADA) 31″
72. Lisa SWEENEY (CANADA) 41″
83. Leigh HOBSON (CANADA) 45″