May 26, 2007 (Quillan, France) – Stage eight of the Tour de l’Aude was a double day that saw the riders heading out on a 55km course this morning and climbing back on their bikes for another 62km this afternoon. To truly test of the legs, the afternoon race included another Hors Catogorie climb!

The morning race was dominated by Flexpoint, who had a outstanding race, and set Susan Ljungskog up for a breakaway along with yellow jersey Judith Arndt (T-Mobile).

The afternoon began straight into the teeth of the Hors Cat. climb, and overall the riders were aggressive with Bigla leading the climb. Nurnberger initiated several attacks with Trixi Worrack and Claudia Hausler looking very strong. The constant attacking forced T-Mobile to chase repeatedly. Under relentless pressure, T-Mobile cracked leaving Judith Arndt to work alone.

Amber Neben (Flexpoint) was first to the top and slowed in a clearly tactical maneuver allowing Trixi Worrack to fly past her and go on to take the stage, however once joined by fellow team mate Susan Ljungjkog the two time trialed it to the finish allowing Ljungjkog to take second place and, in a fantastic display of teamwork for the yellow jersey.

Back with Team expresscopy.com, Director Sportif Jeff Alexander decided to pull Joelle from the race in an attempt to stave off a bout of the flu and to give her time to recover for the Montreal Road World Cup. “She (Joelle) is still a developing rider and we still have a lot of racing this season, I would rather see her fit for the next race than dig a hole for her here and not have her recover,” said Alexander of his decision.

Disappointingly, Amanda Shaw abandoned the race today as well. After struggling for the last few days, Jeff decided that she should focus on recovering from and capitalizing on the last week of hard racing. “It is her first tour in Europe and it happens to be one of the hardest over here,” said Alexander, “we are disappointed but it is more important that she maintain good form for the rest of the season.”

Erinne Willock also abandoned, not long into the afternoon race, and has shifted her focus to recovery and preparation for Montreal as well. “I had a sore throat last night and it got progressively worse through the morning stage, I tired to keep going but I don’t want to risk getting really sick so close to Montreal,” said Willock

The withdrawals left Meshy and Anne as the only Team expresscopy.com representatives still racing. “There was a lot happening off the front today,” said Anne, “we joined the laughing group and tried to rest as much as possible for tomorrow.”

Results

Stage 8a — 55kms

1. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Team — Women 1:34:59
2. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint 0:01
3. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 0:03
4. Angela Brodtka (Ger) Germany 0:38
5. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank
6. Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) Vrienden Van Het Platteland
7. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team
8. Julia Martisova (Rus) FRW – Gauss
9. Lang Meng (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling Team
10. Nicole Brändli (Swi) Bigla Cycling Team

48. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com 3:80
79. Erinne Willock (Can) Team Expresscopy.com 7:29
86. Amanda Shaw (Can) Team Expresscopy.com 12:60
DNS Joelle Numainville (Can) Team Expresscopy.com

GC after 8a

1. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Team — Women 20:41:12
2. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint 0:27
3. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 0:56
4. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank 1:51
5. Priska Doppmann (Swi) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 1:53
6. Nicole Brändli (Swi) Bigla Cycling Team 1:58
7. Andrea Bosman (Ned) Team DSB Bank 2:49
8. Amber Neben (USA) Team Flexpoint 2:53
9. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 3:38
10. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 3:42

42. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com 49:30

Stage 8b

1. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 1:42:10
2. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint 0:15
3. Nicole Brändli (Swi) Bigla Cycling Team
4. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
5. Amber Neben (USA) Team Flexpoint 0:18
6. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank 1:33
7. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team
8. Julia Martisova (Rus) FRW – Gauss
9. Sigrid Corneo (Ita) Menikini – Gysko
10. Maryline Salvetat (Fra) France

50. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com 13:6

GC after 8b

1. Susanne Ljungskog (Swe) Team Flexpoint 22:24:0
2. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 0:11
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) T-Mobile Team — Women 0:55
4. Nicole Brändli (Swi) Bigla Cycling Team 1:30
6. Marianne Vos (Ned) Team DSB Bank 2:46
7. Priska Doppmann (Swi) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 2:48
8. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung 4:33
9. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team
10. Maryline Salvetat (Fra) France 4:46

43. Anne Samplonius (Can) Team Expresscopy.com 1:01:31