A crash that blocked the road ended the hopes of New Zealanders Niamh Fisher-Black and Kim Cadzow in the challenging 158km women’s cycle road race.
The crash occurred about two-thirds of the way into the race and cost the New Zealanders dearly.
A disappointed Fisher-Black said, “That was the race. We had no chance after that, which is really disappointing. I felt good and thought I could figure in the race.”
Fisher-Black didn’t have the best of luck throughout. With about 100km remaining, she required a bike change.
The 23-year-old Fisher-Black eventually placed 31st, finishing in a group of 18 five minutes behind the winner, American Kristen Faulkner. Cadzow finished a further four minutes back in 56th.
The course involved 1700m of climbing but Faulkner handled it well. She finished in 3h 59min 23s, the only woman to break four hours. The silver and bronze medals went to Dutchwoman Marianne Vos and Belgian Lotte Kopecky.