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Tour de l'Aude 2010

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Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (HTC Columbia) won the final stage of the Tour de l 'Aude in great style ahead of Marianne Vos (Netherland Bloiet) and Angela Hennig (Noris Cycling). It was Teutenberg's third stage victory in this year's race, taking her career total of victories in the race to an amazing 21.

The final stage of the 26th Tour de l 'Aude had two climbs a Cat 3 and a Cat 2, as expected though when it hit the small circuits of Carcasonne, it came back to a sprint. 

Adrie Visser (HTC Columbia) attacked on her won very early on. She was joined by Andrea Bosman (Leontien.nl) in the attack. They were joined by four other riders to form an early group. The six competitors had a small advantage after 5km: In the group were Marianne Vos (Netherland Bloiet), Marie Lindberg (Red Sun), Vicki Whitelaw (Lotto Ladies), Visser, Brooke Miller and Carmen Small (USA). 

This break was soon caught by the chasing peloton, however, Visser attacked again with Bosman and Lindberg. At the first of the sprint competition points, Bosman crossed the line first for maximum points, behind her, Miller had a mechanical and had to chase back to the chase group. By the time the race past the Cote du Cavanac with 26km of racing completed,  Emma Johansson (Red Sun) had bridged the gap to the leaders and brought with her Andrea Dvorak (USA) and Pooley, followed by the bunch.

Bosman, determined to try to make a break stick, attacked again, but it didn't work. Beatrice Thomas (Esgl 93 - Gsd Gestion) attempted a counter attack but that proved a wasted effort. Then, Polish rider Sylwia Kapusta and team mate Inga Cilvinaite (SAFI Past zara) attempted to break away but Bosman chased to close the gap. 

As the race approach the Col de Poteau after 42km of racing, Claudia Häusler (Cervelo Test Team), the winner in 2009, passed the top of the climb in front of a stretched group. On the descent, it was fast and furious and Vos and Teutenberg, who were at the head of the race, stretched the bunch out like elastic. The pair managed to get away and then Vos attacked in an attempt to create a break on her own. Teutenberg rejoined the chase group which was led by Johansson and the USA team.  At the half way point of the race, Vos, the world champion of cyclo-cross and current World Cup leader, managed to slip away and by the time she reached Carcassonne, to cross the finishing line to start the five laps of 5.4 km, she had a 1 minute 18 second advantage. 

This was the most Vos would gain however as the chase started. Even ex-team-members of Vos (such as Bosman and Angela Hennig (Noris)) work to close the gap on the lone leader. HTC-Columbia and Cervélo were also on the front and they caught Vos with ten kilometers to go. Trixi Worrack (Noris) and Whitelaw tried to attack again but the teams ensured that nothing else was going away as they lined up the race for their sprinters. 

HTC Columbia, set it up perfectly for Teutenberg, Vos, despite her lone effort, still managed to sprint for second ahead of Hennig, Carla Swart (MTN). 

Pooley (Cervelo Test Team) rode home safe in the bunch to complete an incredible week of racing. 

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