Lizzie Armistead, Overcome With Emotion After Winning Women’s Elite Road Race
Photo Credit: Darnell Myrick
Richmond, Va. – Lizzie Armistead of Great Britain made a late push to win the rainbow jersey and the gold medal in today’s Women’s Elite Road Race with a time of 3:23:56. Eight other cyclists finished within a second of Armistead. Dutch cyclist, Anna Van Der Breggen finished in second place taking home her second silver medal of the week. She finished in second in the Women’s Elite Individual Time Trial on Wednesday. American, Megan Guarnier won the bronze medal.
Armistead was emotional after finishing the race saying that she was surprised with her victory. She said that she was nervous going into the race. The British cyclist pushed hard within the last few kilometers of the race passing Van Der Breggen in an attempt to capture the win. She says that this was probably the greatest race she ever competed in.
“I wanted to attack on Governor’s Street,” Armistead said. “Also, I knew that I need to get rid of people. Attacking was what I did and then I stuck to one side of the road in the sprint.”
The Mayor of Richmond, Dwight C. Jones was in attendance for the race presenting flowers to the three medalists at the podium ceremony.
Tomorrow will be the conclusion of the UCI Road World Championships in Richmond as the Men’s Elite Road Race will take place.
