CYCLING Australia's Carrigan captures gold medal

XATHENS, Greece -- Sara Carrigan's tactic was questioned. The result cannot be.
Carrigan essentially drafted off Judith Arndt for much of the final lap, then slingshotted past the German in the final straightaway to win the gold medal Sunday in the Olympic women's road cycling race.
The riders battled a stiff headwind for much of the final lap, with Carrigan tucked in behind and using Arndt as her buffer -- knowing fatigue was certain to set in. When Arndt turned her head to see where Carrigan was, the Australian shot ahead and rolled her way to gold.
"I knew it was the day," Carrigan said. "I didn't work as hard as Judith."
Kristin Armstrong was the top U.S. finisher, placing eighth. It was only the third time since Connie Carpenter-Phinney and Rebecca Twigg finished 1-2 for the United States 20 years ago at Los Angeles that an American woman was among in top 10 at the Olympic road race.
"I'm definitely pleased with that," said Armstrong, a former triathlete who only began her competitive cycling career two years ago. "I'd love to have come out with a medal. When you come to an Olympics, if your mind isn't set on a medal and just on being happy to be a participant, there's a problem."
Arndt, who said Carrigan "did nothing" in the final lap, was in a no-win situation.
She pressed the last-lap pace to ensure that Carrigan's countrywoman Oenone Wood -- a talented sprinter who was lurking in a chase pack -- didn't get close enough to make a late pass. Yet by doing so, she wore herself out, and Carrigan capitalized.
"The silver medal is the best that I could get today," said Arndt, who was fined $162 by the International Cycling Union for making a gesture while crossing the finish line.
Carrigan finished the 73.8-mile race in three hours, 24 minutes, 24 seconds. Arndt was seven seconds back; Russia's Olga Slyusareva won a frantic sprint for the bronze medal.
Armstrong's U.S. teammates, Christine Thorburn and Dede Barry, finished 15th and 16th, respectively. All three Americans were making Olympic debuts.
Associated Press