KEY POINTS:
New Zealander Joanne Kiesanowski was back on the podium and still in contention to win the Tour de l'Aude women's cycling race in southern France after the sixth stage overnight (NZ time).
Riding for the professional Raleigh Lifeforce team, Kiesanowski was pipped in a two-woman sprint by Dane Linda Villumsen Serup. It was the third time on this tour that the Christchurch rider has narrowly missed a stage win.
The pair were among a six-strong group who opened up a lead of more than 2-1/2 minutes on the field, before they broke 20sec clear themselves in the closing stages of the 113km circuit at Rieux Minervois.
Kiesananoski, who was more than sevens minutes off the pace after yesterday's stage, improved to 10th place and just 2min 52sec behind German leader Judith Arndt.
The best of the New Zealand team riders today was Toni Bradshaw, near the head of the peleton in 17th place.
Bradshaw remained 20th on general classification, 7min 26sec behind Arndt, but ahead of teamates Serena Sheridan (24th), Georgina Waibl (32nd), Carissa Wilkes (63rd) and Marina Duvnjak (88th).
New Zealander Melissa Holt, riding for Team Expresscopy.com, is 52nd.
- NZPA
