May 17, 2005 – In a relatively flat 111km fourth stage punctuated by torrential rain, a last-ditch breakway of six riders was able to steal the thunder from super-sprinter Oenone Wood (Nurnberger) and see Loes Gunnewijk (Vrienden) pull off a stage win at the Tour de l’Aude. The win had minimal impact on the overall standing, where American Amber Neben (Buitenpoort) continues to hold the overall leader’s jersey.

Early breaks by Delphine Guille (France) and Leticia Gil Parra (Spain) and a counterattack by An Van Rie (Belgium) were held in check by the sprint-focused pack, but with just more than a kilometer left a six-rider effort saw Gunnewijk drive to the win.

Canadians Lyne Bessette and Erinne Willock turned in strong performances, finishing with the main pack 14 seconds behind the stage winners and remain in ideal position going into tomorrow’s individual time trial and the mountains beyond.

Fourth Stage:
1. Loes GUNNEWIJK (VRIENDEN) 3h23:59
2. Joanne KIESANOWSKI (NOBILI) s.t
3. Emma DAVIES (VLAANDEREN) :05
4. Lorian GRAHAM (AUSTRALIA)
5. An VAN RIE (BELGIUM) :07
6. Sandra MISSBACH (VAN BEMMELEN)
7. Volha HAYEVA (P.M.B.) :10
8. Madeleine SANDIG (GERMANY)
9. Oenone WOOD (NURNBERGER) :14
10. Anita VALEN (VLAANDEREN)

Canadians:
15. Lyne BESSETTE (CANADA) :14
40. Erinne WILLOCK (CANADA) s.t
62. Leigh HOBSON (CANADA) :55
88. Felicia GREER (CANADA) 3:12
102. Lisa SWEENEY (CANADA) 4:19

Overall after 4 stages:
1. Amber NEBEN (BUITENPOORT) 12h18:54
2. Sara CARRIGAN (VAN BEMMELEN) :31
3. Christiane SOEDER (UNIVEGA) 1:00
4. Dorte RASMUSSEN (TEAM S.A.T.S.) 1:03
5. Oenone WOOD (NURNBERGER) s.t
6. Kristin ARMSTRONG (USA) 1:04
7. Loes GUNNEWIJK (VRIENDEN) 1:05
8. Mirjam MELCHERS (BUITENPOORT) 1:06
9. Svetlana BOUBNENKOVA (P.M.B.) 1:07
10. Karin THÃœRIG (UNIVEGA) 1:08

Canadians
16. Lyne BESSETTE (CANADA) 1:18
18. Erinne WILLOCK (CANADA) 1:25
52. Leigh HOBSON (CANADA) 3:43
62. Felicia GREER (CANADA) 6:18
88. Lisa SWEENEY (CANADA) 24:31