Lizzie Deignan rues marking and too many motorbikes as heat blunts attacks in Tokyo Olympics women's road race
The Brit finished 11th after being caught 'between a rock and a hard place'

Lizzie Deignan endured a frustrating Tokyo Olympics women's road race, finishing 11th after a hot day out where bizarre tactics reigned supreme.
The Brit says she was marked by her rivals, not allowed the freedom to try something, and that the riders who could attack were aided by too many motorbikes helping to draft them up the road.
"Unfortunately I was between a rock and a hard place. Anna [Shackley] did a great job while she could, she should be really proud of her effort, but mid-way through I was on my own but also marked. I didn’t have that freedom of a solo rider. Tactically I think I did the right thing, it just didn’t go my way," Deignan told the BBC after the race.
"It’s a weird race. Although there are small teams, there are weird agendas between teams. It’s also because the race was so hot and humid that all the moves were a bit blunted," Deignan added. "There wasn’t that same spark. Everyone knew that if they went into the red they’d never come back from it in this kind of weather. It was a defensive race but still really hard.
>>> Dutch riders thought they were racing for gold in Tokyo Olympics women's road race
"It was incredibly frustrating to be in my position. Every time someone made a move off the front, they were literally motor-pacing away from me. The motorbikes - there were too many. There were way too many motorbikes."
The specifics of the race aside, Deignan is just grateful to have been able to compete at the Olympics despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I’m old enough to know that that’s the way sport goes sometimes. Obviously I’m really disappointed but I have the perspective that I’ve put myself in a position to be here, I had a great team behind me, and we’ve had a pandemic, and we’ve still had an Olympics. There’s so much to be thankful for, to even race here."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.
I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Rapha's Excess Men's Pro Team GORE-TEX Rain Jacket is uniquely colourful, pricey, PFAS-restricted in the US and the most comfortable hard shell yet
Rapha’s newest rain jacket is built with reclaimed material and has a nifty trick: it’s stretchy. Does contain PFAS though.
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel to skip road World Championships to target mountain bike title
2023 world champion confirmed to ride Tour de France in search of stage victories
By Adam Becket Published
-
Keirin: Everything you need to know about the Track World Championships keirin event
What is the keirin track event and how does it work?
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Track sprint: How the 2024 Paris track sprint works
The need to know about the sprint competition at the Olympic Games
By Richard Windsor Published
-