Aussies win crowd-free road races
Source: Agencies |
October 11, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
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TIGHT security featuring gun-toting police on top of steel barricades kept most of the spectators away during a Commonwealth Games women's road race won by Rochelle Gilmore of Australia yesterday.
It was a perfect day for the race - moderate temperatures, sunny skies and a scenic course through some of the most picturesque parts of downtown New Delhi, including the famous India Gate and Presidential Palace. Even a dog and a monkey sighted on the course didn't bother the competitors.
Gilmore won in a sprint finish in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 30 seconds. Elizabeth Armistead of England was second and another Australian, Chloe Hosking, took bronze.
Another Australian, Allan Davis, won the men's road race of 168 kilometers later in a sprint finish over Hayden Roulston of New Zealand in a time of 3:40.48. David Millar of Scotland took bronze. Pre-race favorite and Tour de France sprinter Mark Cavendish finished seventh.
Davis sprinted to the front over the last 500 meters, helped by teammate Christopher Sutton, who finished fourth.
"I wouldn't be here without my teammates," Davis said. "I didn't know what to do. Cam (teammate Cameron Meyer) wasn't with me and Cavendish was behind me, so I really had to use my brains to make it work and I did."
But the morning race, staged over eight laps of a 13.7-kilometer course, was almost devoid of fans. Television footage showed mostly soldiers and other security officials standing behind the fenced and barrier-laden course.
The lack of crowds didn't bother Gilmore.
"Perhaps it was for the best in terms of security," she said. We knew a lot of spectators would be watching us on TV."
Gilmore's victory comes after Australian cyclists won 12 of 14 gold medals on the track.
Diving began its four-day run and Canada took both golds yesterday.
Jennifer Abel and Emilie Heymans won the women's 3-meter synchro.
Australians took the other medals - Briony Cole and Sharleen Stratton the silver and Jaele Patrick and Olivia Wright the bronze.
Alexandre Despatie defended his title in the 1-meter springboard by taking gold. One of the biggest names in the diving competition - Olympic 10-meter platform champion Matthew Mitcham of Australia - won the silver.
It was a perfect day for the race - moderate temperatures, sunny skies and a scenic course through some of the most picturesque parts of downtown New Delhi, including the famous India Gate and Presidential Palace. Even a dog and a monkey sighted on the course didn't bother the competitors.
Gilmore won in a sprint finish in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 30 seconds. Elizabeth Armistead of England was second and another Australian, Chloe Hosking, took bronze.
Another Australian, Allan Davis, won the men's road race of 168 kilometers later in a sprint finish over Hayden Roulston of New Zealand in a time of 3:40.48. David Millar of Scotland took bronze. Pre-race favorite and Tour de France sprinter Mark Cavendish finished seventh.
Davis sprinted to the front over the last 500 meters, helped by teammate Christopher Sutton, who finished fourth.
"I wouldn't be here without my teammates," Davis said. "I didn't know what to do. Cam (teammate Cameron Meyer) wasn't with me and Cavendish was behind me, so I really had to use my brains to make it work and I did."
But the morning race, staged over eight laps of a 13.7-kilometer course, was almost devoid of fans. Television footage showed mostly soldiers and other security officials standing behind the fenced and barrier-laden course.
The lack of crowds didn't bother Gilmore.
"Perhaps it was for the best in terms of security," she said. We knew a lot of spectators would be watching us on TV."
Gilmore's victory comes after Australian cyclists won 12 of 14 gold medals on the track.
Diving began its four-day run and Canada took both golds yesterday.
Jennifer Abel and Emilie Heymans won the women's 3-meter synchro.
Australians took the other medals - Briony Cole and Sharleen Stratton the silver and Jaele Patrick and Olivia Wright the bronze.
Alexandre Despatie defended his title in the 1-meter springboard by taking gold. One of the biggest names in the diving competition - Olympic 10-meter platform champion Matthew Mitcham of Australia - won the silver.
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