Belgium cyclist Greg wins men's road race at Rio Olympics

Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium(C), Rafal Majka (L) of Poland and Jakob Fuglsang of Denmark attend the awarding ceremony after the Men's Road cycling race of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, on August 6, 2016. Greg Van Avermaet won the gold medal，Jakob Fuglsang and Rafal Majka took the silver and the bronze respectively.[Photo/Xinhua]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Belgium cyclist Van Avermaet Greg won the gold of the men's cycling road race of the Rio Olympic Games here on Saturday.

In Rio's August sweltering heat, the Belgian demonstrated his endurance and dashed out in the last kilometer to clock a winning time of six hours ten minutes and five seconds for the glory.

"I am so happy for gold. Everyone said all week it was for everyone else." said Greg.

The race was marred by crashes as Sergio Henao of Colombia and Vincenzo Nibali of Italy both fell on the last nasty descent with under 15 kilometers to go on the stage.

"When I saw the crash I was confused about how many riders were still up the road. I was working with Fuglsang, and we saw Majka. We knew it was possible. I knew I had to hang on, " added Greg.

Jacob Fuglsang of Denmark took the silver in 6:10:05, while the brozne went to Rafal Majka of Poland in 6:10:10.

"Sometimes it pays not to take risks. After the first climb I saw there was a bump on the road on the corner so I took it a little easier. I knew the medals were in play, and I looked back and no one was working so I attacked. I'm very happy to take a medal at these Olympics," said Fuglsang.

The route for the 2016 Rio Olympic men's cycling road race is 237.5 kilometers in length as it begins and ends at Fort Copacaban, and 144 cyclists competed in the race as only 63 cyclists crossed the finish line.

Athletes compete during the Men's Road cycling race of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, on August 6, 2016. Belgium's Greg van Avermaet won the gold medal. [Photo/Xinhua]