Pooley claimed her first victory in a big stage race

Emma Pooley became the first Briton to win the Tour de L'Aude, the biggest stage race in women's road racing, after Sunday's seventh stage.

Cervelo rider Pooley finished safely in the pack in Carcassonne, as Ina Yoko Teutenberg was victorious in a sprint.

"I feel amazing and very happy with my Tour victory - it is the first time I have won a big stage race," said the Olympic time-trial silver medallist.

"Our team will now enjoy the win and celebrate by having some ice cream."

Pooley, who grew up in Norwich, was full of praise for her Cervelo team.

"Today the race was a little bit stressful, but the team, as it has been for this entire Tour, was just fantastic," added the 27-year-old.

"They were always with me and showed time and again that we were the strongest team."

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Cervelo won four stages of the race, including a victory for Pooley's fellow Briton Lizzie Armitstead, who won last Saturday's first stage.

Pooley moved into the overall lead after finishing second behind American Mara Abbott - who finished second overall, four minutes and 42 seconds in arrears - in a sprint finish on stage four on Tuesday.

The Briton then recorded her first stage win in the race by turning the tables on Abbott in another sprint finish in Friday's seventh stage.

Pooley's compatriots and team-mates Sharon Laws and Armitstead finished 15th and 24th respectively overall.

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