Beijing - Cyclist Samuel Sanchez from Spain claimed the men's road race gold in six hours, 23 minutes and 49 seconds at the Beijing Olympics here Saturday afternoon.
 |
|
Spain's cyclist Samuel Sanchez celebrates his victory after crossing the finish line of the men's road race at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, in Juyongguan, near the Great Wall of China, on August 9, 2008. [Agencies]
|
Sanchez demonstrated his endurance and stamina through team work and pulled out the leading group at the last 200 meters to seal the win.
Davide Rebellin from Italy got the silver while Fabian Cancellara from Switzerland got the bronze.
Patricio Almonacid of Chile and Horacio Gallardo of Bolivia surprised all to take the lead in the first 40 kilometers, but they posed little threat to the big names like Samuel Sanchez of Spain and Paolo Bettini of Italy.
After biking for 70 kilometers, Aussies took their chance to break the big group with Cadel Evans took the lead, followed by teammate Michael Rogers.
However, it was Patricio Almonacid of Chile who became the first to reach the finish circuit besides the Great Wall.
As the battle went on, strong teams like Spain, Italy,and Australia began to attack and pulled out of the mass group.
Christian Pfannberger of Austria hit out alone with less than 30 kilometers to go, but his braveness did not get paid off as Davide Rebellin of Italy began to take the lead in the beginning of the last lap.
Under the support of teammates Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde, Sanchez finished dashed out of the six-man leading group to win Spian's first gold in Beijing.
The hot and humid weather has posed a big challenge to all riders as Raivis Belohvosciks of Latvia and British Jonathan Bellis had to pulled out of the race only after two laps.
The mass start road cycling race started at Yongdingmen Gate, running through Tian qiao,Temple of Heaven, the Great Hall of the People, Tian'anmen Square, Changpu river park, Imperial Palace Wall Relics Park, Shatan, the Lama temple, Temple of Land, the Yuan Dynasty City Wall Relics Palace, Olympic Sports Center, the bird's nest (national stadium), and the Beijing Olympic Tower, Zhongguancun High-tech District, Peking university, the Yuanmingyuan Park, Ju yongguan Great Wall, Badaling Great wall.
The delicate design of the route offered the world a comprehensive appreciation of Beijing's beautiful landscape.
The man's Olympic road race's route is 245.4 kilometers in length, and 143 cyclists from 55 countries and regions competed in the race.