May 19, 2007 — Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank has won Stage 1 at the Tour de l’Aude, the 115.5 km Port La Nouvelle road race, which gave riders and teams their first opportunity to stretch their legs, rub shoulders, and speculate on race tactics.

Team expresscopy.com came off the line firing on all cylinders and were by far the most aggressive team of the day, with Anne Samplonius leading the charge and expected to win Most Aggressive Rider of the Day. “I had good legs today,” Samplonius said after the race. “It’s great to be back riding in Europe and our plan for today was to get out there and shake it up a bit.”

Meshy Holt (Team expresscopy.com) placed second in a sprint, which also put her on the point’s board.

Heading into the last 20 kms the peloton was still together, Team expresscopy.com still attacking off the front. “Without our sprinter we had nothing to lose so Anne and I decided to keep pushing it,” said Holt. “We aren’t giving anything away.”

As a result of their efforts the tempo remained high with the sprinters teams controlling the front, chasing down attacks and maneuvering for position for the final sprint.

The stage ended in a big sprint finish — full results to follow.

Results (brief)

1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank 3:0:54
2. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) T-Mobile Team – Women
3. Angela Brodtka (Ger) Germany

15. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team expresscopy.com
46. Joëlle Numainville (Can) Team Expresscopy.com
75. Amanda Shaw (Can) Team Expresscopy.com 2:58
91. Erinne Willock (Can) Team Expresscopy.com