KEY POINTS:
New Zealand cyclist Joanne Kiesanowski completed her third podium finish overnight (NZ time) to end the Tour de l'Aude in southern France eighth overall.
Riding for her Raleigh Lifeforce Pro Cycling team, Kiesanowski narrowly missed out on victory in the ninth and final stage over 68km in Limoux, pipped by German Ina Teutenberg at the head of an eight-woman leading group.
Kiesanowski improved one place overall and finished three minutes 33 seconds behind Swedish winner Susanne Ljungskog of Team Flexpoint.
The New Zealander has been near the front for much of the tour and narrowly missed achieving stage wins on four occasions.
Toni Bradshaw held on to her 19th place on general classification, more than 16min off the winning pace, to be the best of the New Zealand team.
She was followed by Georgina Waibl in 26th place, Serena Sheridan 28th and Marina Duvnjak 79th, while compatriot Melissa Holt was 53rd riding for Team Expresscopy.com.
The race finishes tomorrow with the final stage, 68km at Limoux, featuring three categorised climbs.
- NZPA
