World champion Lizzie Armitstead turned her attentions to Olympic gold in Rio after coming up short in the second women’s Tour de Yorkshire.
Armitstead, 27, set off with 97 other riders from her home town of Otley on Saturday morning with a 136.5km route to Doncaster ahead of her.
Riding in the rainbow jersey of the world champion and competing for the Great Britain national team, Armitstead was part of a three-rider break that got away with about 15km to go, but was caught around the five kilometre mark and could only watch as Dutch rider Kirsten Wild sprinted to victory.
Armitstead, who crossed the line in 26th, admitted she knew that she was unlikely to be successful in a bunch sprint but is adamant the Olympic Games in Rio and the top step of the podium are still firmly in her sights.
“The gold is what I am going for, I am not going to the Olympics for the experience, or anything other than gold,” said the reigning Tour of Flanders champion.
“It was worth just giving it a go here, I wouldn’t have bet on me in a sprint so I thought at least make it an interesting race.
“I knew it was up when I saw it go from a minute gap to 30 seconds so quickly, then it was just a case of dragging them out behind, hoping that one of our girls would be sheltered and have an easy ride to the finish.
“To be able to put on an exciting race was what it was all about so I am happy with the attack and then the work towards the end.”
The event became the most lucrative women’s race in world cycling last month and Wild picked up the €20,000 winners prize after edging out Britain’s Lucy Garner in the final bunch sprint.
“Kirsten is known for being one of the best sprinters in the world so I am pleased with second,” said 21-year-old Garner.
“There was a break at the end that we caught very close to the finish but the girls did an amazing job to chase that down for me.”
Armitstead’s Great Britain National Team won the overall team prize with Olympic silver medal winner Emma Pooley making a return to road racing to help Armitstead in her home race.
“The race is fantastic, I am really delighted and I cannot thank race organisers ASO enough and also the crowds in Yorkshire, and Yorkshire itself for hosting the race,” said 33-year-old Pooley.
“It is a great example of the principle of equality, I don’t think I won any prize money today but I think it is an important statement to make.” Join Team GB Club today, check it out right here.
Sportsbeat 2016