After the disappointment of the men’s Road Race event yesterday and people feeling less then confident about a win today, it is with pleasure that we can declare that Great Britain have won their first medal. Despite rapid downfalls and thunder, Lizzie Armitstead managed to bag second place and bring home a silver medal, coming in just behind Marianne Vos of Netherland. Russian Olga Zabelinskaya clinched third in which can only be described as a thrilling rain-soaked race.
The first hour of the race started calmly with the cyclists riding through South West London towards Surrey Hills, many showing off their new form. However, things soon got ugly as the last 2 hours saw attack follow attack as riders crashed and fell, causing mayhem within the whole race.
It was the break from Zabelinskaya which urged Brit Lizzie, 23, to fight even harder for the chance to win a medal, along with Vos and American Shelly Olds. For these cyclists this was the make or break decision which luckily paid off for Armitstead as the four pulled off a 25 second lead giving her the momentum that she needed. It was when tragedy struck for Olds as she suffered a puncture, ensuring a medal for the hopeful Brit as she and Vos who are both well known for their ability to sprint fought all the way to the finish line, with Armitstead just missing out on gold.
Danielle Pooley started off the race with high hopes but after a mechanical problem towards the end of the race pulled up 40th, the last rider to finish the line. Commiserations for Danielle but overall it was a good day for Britain’s Road Racers – many more medals to come.