KEY POINTS:
New Zealand cyclist Joanne Kiesanowski sprinted to fourth to cap a strong showing in the third stage of the women's Tour de l'Aude in southern France today (NZT).
Kiesanowski, who rides for the professional Raleigh Lifeforce team, improved from 16th to eighth overall in the 10-day tour after coming close to winning the 122km circular stage around Lezignan Corbieres.
The stage was won by Dutch Team DSB Bank rider Marianne Vos in three hours 14 minutes 01 seconds at the head of a 33-woman leading bunch.
Among the peleton was overall leader Judith Arndt of Germany, who is 44sec ahead of Kiesanowski on general classification.
Michelle Hyland was the only member of the New Zealand team to figure among the leaders, placing 26th today. Teammates Carissa Wilkes and Toni Bradshaw were among the second group, just 7sec behind the leaders in 35th and 36th place respectively.
Wilkes is the best of the New Zealand team overall, in 33rd place, more than 2min behind Arndt.
- NZPA
