Britain's Lizzie Armitstead has come third overall in the Tour Cycliste Feminin International Ardeche after winning the final stage of the French stage race on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Lotto-Belisol rider from Otley finished the six-stage race just 53 seconds adrift of overall winner Kristin Armstrong (Cervelo).
In addition to winning the final stage, Armitstead placed second on stages three and four.
Armitstead was joined by two other British riders in the overall top ten. Sharon Laws (Great Britain) and Emma Pooley (Cervelo) finished seventh and eighth respectively after consistently solid performances throughout the event.
World and Olympic champion Nicole Cooke started the race, but had to withdraw due to poor health. The Welshwoman will now concentrate on re-gaining her form for the road World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, at the end of September.
Tour Cycliste Feminin International Ardeche 2009
Final overall classification
1. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo in 15-53-43
2. Grace Verbeke (Ned) Lotto-Belisol at 42sec
3. Elizabeth Armitstead (GB) Lotto-Belisol at 53sec
4. Christiane Soeder (Aut) Cervelo at 1-33
5. Amber Neben (USA) USA at 3-58
6. Ievgenya Vysotska (Ukr) Ukraine at 4-38
7. Sharon Laws (GB) Great Britain at 4-39
8. Emma Pooley (GB) Cervelo at 4-41
9. Karin Thurig (Sui) Suisse at 5-04
10. Claudia Hausler (Ger) Cervelo at 5-20
Related links
Out of sorts Cooke abandons Tour de l'Ardeche
Armitstead on form in Ardeche
