Armitstead happy to be top-ten hit in Olympic time-trial (From Wharfedale Observer)

Lizzie Armitstead happy to be top-ten hit in Olympic time-trial

7:00pm Wednesday 1st August 2012 in Other Sport

Otley ’s Lizzie Armitstead, Britain’s first medallist of London 2012 after winning silver in Sunday’s road race, finished tenth in yesterday’s Olympic time-trial at Hampton Court .

The United States’ Kristin Armstrong successfully defended her title, finishing the 29-kilometre route in 37 minutes 34 seconds to finish 16 seconds clear of world champion Judith Arndt (37:50) of Germany in second, with Russia’s Olga Zabelinskaya third in 37:57 for her second bronze of the Games.

Great Britain’s Emma Pooley, the 2010 world champion and silver medallist in Beijing four years’ ago, finished in 38:37, placing sixth.

Armitstead – who won the team pursuit at the 2009 Track Cycling World Championships – had been a dark horse for the time-trial but she prefers the shoulder-to-shoulder combat of a road race.

She said: “I’m sure some people want me to do well but it’s not really my scene. I love cycling because of the tactics and the mental thing that comes into it.

“I like to be able to race other people; full gas power isn’t for me.

“It was a reminder of why I don’t enjoy doing time-trials, but the crowd again were fantastic and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

“I really wasn’t expecting to do very much. I was hoping for a top ten.”

Armitstead expressed disappointment for team-mate Pooley.

The 23-year-old said: “My only disappointment is for Emma. After all the work she did for me in the road race, she really deserved a result.

“I’ve seen the work she’s put in over the year and it’s a shame she couldn’t quite pull it off today, but it wasn’t her course.”

Armitstead has backed Pooley to respond.

“She’s very, very capable and Rio looks like it’s a bit of a hilly place, so she’s got every chance if she wants it.”