Kristin Armstrong wins Rio Olympics women's time trial; GB's Emma Pooley 14th

American Kristin Armstrong takes her third Olympic TT gold ahead of Olga Zabelinskaya of Russia; Emma Pooley finishes in 14th place

Kristin Armstrong wins the women's time trial, Rio 2016 Olympic Games

(Image credit: Graham Watson)

American Kristin Armstrong (USA) took her third Olympic time trial title on Wednesday, putting in a perfectly-paced performance over the hilly route to claim gold in Rio.

As defending champion and pre-race favourite, Armstrong was last rider off and cruised through the first time check at 10 kilometre as quickest rider – despite evidently suffering from a nose bleed.

By the second check, Armstrong posted a time three seconds down on Olga Zabelinskaya (Russia) – bronze medallist in the 2012 Games in London, and a controversial inclusion in the 2016 Games due to her doping positive and suspension in 2014.

Olga Zabelinskaya, second in the women's time trial, Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Olga Zabelinskaya, second in the women's time trial, Rio 2016 Olympic Games
(Image credit: Watson)

Armstrong then tackled the final descent off the day's toughest climb of Grota Funda and subsequent flat run-in to the finish at Pontal, turning around her deficit on Zabelinskaya to win by five seconds.

Armstrong is the oldest competitor in both the women's and men's races, and will celebrate her 43rd birthday in style on Thursday.

>>> Rio 2016 Olympic Games: Latest news, reports and info

Road race gold medallist Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) added another piece of hardware to her collection with bronze, 11 seconds down on Armstrong.

Britain's Emma Pooley had a less than ideal run, and finished down in 14th place over two minutes adrift of the American winner.

Emma Pooley in the women's time trial, Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Emma Pooley in the women's time trial, Rio 2016 Olympic Games
(Image credit: Watson)

Despite the wet and windy conditions, there were thankfully few incidents on the course. Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) was one of the few riders to have a problem, as she left the road and into the undergrowth. She stayed upright and lost valuable time in getting back on the road. Agonisingly, she ended up in fourth place, off the podium and wondering what could have been.

A total of 25 riders took on the 29.86km course. The men's event takes place after the women's, where they tackle two loops of the Grumari circuit.

Result

Rio 2016 Olympic Games, women's individual time trial

1. Kristin Armstrong (USA) in 44-26

2. Olga Zabelinskaya (Russia) at 5 secs

3. Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) at 11 secs

4. Ellen van Dijk (Netherlands) at 22 secs

5. Elisa Longon Borghini (Italy) at 25 secs

6. Linda Villumsen (New Zealand) at 28 secs

7. Tara Whitten (Canada) at 35 secs

8. Lisa Brennauer (Germany) at 56 secs

9. Katrin Garfoot (Australia) at 1-09

10. Evelyn Stevens (USA) at 1-34

Other

14. Emma Pooley (Great Britain) at 2-05

Kristin Armstrong wins the womens time trial at the 2016 Olympic Games

Kristin Armstrong wins the women's time trial at the 2016 Olympic Games
(Image credit: Watson)

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.