Yorkshire’s Armitstead storms to world road race glory

Yorkshire’s Lizzie Armitstead described becoming women’s road race world champion as a “dream come true” after a stunning victory in Richmond.
Lizzie Armitstead, of Britain, puts her hand to her mouth as she crosses the finish line to win the UCI Women's Road World Championship Cycling race in Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)Lizzie Armitstead, of Britain, puts her hand to her mouth as she crosses the finish line to win the UCI Women's Road World Championship Cycling race in Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Lizzie Armitstead, of Britain, puts her hand to her mouth as she crosses the finish line to win the UCI Women's Road World Championship Cycling race in Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

The Otley rider defied the odds with a late charge to catch the race leaders and made her move on the final climb up Libby Hill, holding off Anna van der Breggen in a dramatic sprint finish at the UCI World Road Championships.

Armitstead is already Commonwealth champion as well as 2015 World Cup winner, but was clearly emotional having claimed the rainbow jersey.

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“This is the big one, the most special thing in cycling,” she said.

Winner of the UCI Women's Road World Championship Cycling race, Elizabeth Armitstead, center, of Britain, is joined by second-place finisher Anna Van Der Breggen, left, of the Netherlands, and third-place finisher Megan Guarnier, right, of the United States, as they celebrate their wins in Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)Winner of the UCI Women's Road World Championship Cycling race, Elizabeth Armitstead, center, of Britain, is joined by second-place finisher Anna Van Der Breggen, left, of the Netherlands, and third-place finisher Megan Guarnier, right, of the United States, as they celebrate their wins in Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Winner of the UCI Women's Road World Championship Cycling race, Elizabeth Armitstead, center, of Britain, is joined by second-place finisher Anna Van Der Breggen, left, of the Netherlands, and third-place finisher Megan Guarnier, right, of the United States, as they celebrate their wins in Richmond. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

“It’s a dream come true.”

The 26-year-old raised her hand to her mouth in disbelief as she crossed the line a wheel’s length in front of Van der Breggen.

“I just couldnt believe it...I didn’t get to celebrate, I was just going all the way for the line,” she explained.

“It was such a strange sprint for me because I was in front, leading out and waiting for the rush to come and it never came.

“It was just perfect.”

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Armistead’s sensational finish was all the more satisfying given the way the odds stacked against her as the race progressed.

With two of the eight laps remaining she was well placed but 20 kilometres from home a nine-strong break left Armitstead in the peloton.

With little support Armitstead was forced to shelve one attack and at one stage sat 36 seconds back with just 8km left.

But she reeled that in before embarking on her triumphant finish, beating Van der Bruggen and Megan Guarnier into silver and bronze.

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