May 19, 2006 — The Tour de l’Aude has ended for Canadian rider Lyne Bessette (T-Mobile). After finishing 79th in the lead pack in Stage 7a on Thursday morning, the Quebec rider was not at the start line for Stage 7b. Sportcom was not able to contact Bessette to determine the reason why she did not start Stage 7b.

Australian Oenone Wood (Nürnberger Versicherung) won Thursday morning’s race, 56.5 km loop between Villegly and Villarzel Cabardès.

In the provisional General Classification, Marina Jaunâtre (Équipe de France) lost the leader’s jersey to Suisse rider Priska Doppmann (Univega Pro). The Tour de l’Aude finishes this Sunday.

The next event on Bessette’s race calendar is the UCI Women’s Coupe du Monde taking place May 27, at Montreal’s Mount Royal on a newly designed course.