Pooley wins in Roquefeuil

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Great Britain’s Emma Pooley (Cervelo TestTeam) added another stage victory to her resume as she extended her overall lead at Tour de l'Aude Cycliste Féminin. Pooley crossed the line just eight seconds ahead of USA National Team rider Mara Abbot, while Emma Johansson (Redsun Cycling Team) and Claudia Häusler (Cervelo TestTeam) crossed the line together for third and fourth place respectively a further 2:10 minutes behind.

“I am lucky to have such a great team with me,” said Pooley. “It was a very tough stage but my team mates did a really great job for me. Beside me, Claudia, Sharon and Regina were also able to finish among the top 11 which shows how strong team we have. I am proud to be a part of it. I am also happy that I defended my yellow jersey and I am looking forward to the last two days.”

The results more than doubled Pooley’s lead in the general classification. Pooley started the day 2:03 minutes ahead of Dutch rider Annemiek Van Vleuten (Nederland Bloeit) but after 105km of racing holds a 4:42 minute lead over Abbot, who moved into second overall.

“It was an amazing race again today. In the first climb, seven riders went in a break away – among them Cervélo TestTeam riders Emma Pooley, Sharon Laws and Claudia Häusler,” explained Egon van Kessel, Cervelo's sport director. “Then Claudia attacked but couldn’t get away from the leading group. At the end, Emma made the decisive attack and went away with Mara Abbott on her wheel. Emma won the sprint and took the fourth stage victory for the team. The last two stages have an easier profile but can still be very hard. We are confident and will give our all to defend the yellow jersey."

Just two stages and 202.5 kilometres of racing stands between Pooley and overall victory at the event. An overall win would be Pooley’s first in the French tour and her team’s second consecutive title, after Häusler won the title last year.