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Britain's David Stone poses after crossing the finish line. [Xinhua] |
Britain added a further gold to its horde at Saturday morning's Road Cycling competition when David Stone became the first double gold medalist of the meeting.
Taking the lead from the start of the Mixed Road Race (CP1/CP2), Stone (CP2) led all the way coming home over three minutes clear of his nearest opponent, South Africa's Riaan Nel (CP2) and Italy's Giorgio Farroni (CP2) with just a second separating the silver and bronze medalists.
Rachel Morris (Great Britain) (HCB) couldn't emulate Stone in the Women's Road Race (HCA/HCB/HCC) event in her aim of doubling up on her gold medal haul. Morris started out as one of the favorites having taken the Women's Time Trial (HCA/HCB/HCC) by three minutes on Friday but had to settle for sixth place after seeing Germany's Andrea Eskau (HCC) grab gold in one of the tightest finishes yet seen at Saturday meeting.
Eskau slip-streamed Monique van der Vorst of the Netherlands (HCC) for much of the 36.3km course, overtaking her on the line and snatching gold by just a wheel's length, 0.13 seconds ahead of the Dutch rider. Eskau's teammate Dorothee Vieth (HCC) came home on her own in third place 26 seconds behind the winner.
The win for Eskau brings Germany level with Spain and the United States at three golds, one behind Britain on four, and brings her the satisfaction of proving her domination in women's hand cycling having taken gold at the event at the 2007 Paracycling World Championships at Bordeaux, France.
(BOCOG September 13, 2008)