The only similarity that the Women's Olympic Road Race shared with the mens' version was the number of riders, five, that would make the final turn together to contest the sprint for medals.
Aside from the inherent differences, the overall distance, the lesser number of teammates and therefore overall number of participants, and the overall speeds, the weather during the women's road race provided the starkest contrast from the men's race held the day prior.
Rather than the particulate mattered sauna that required strategically placed cooling stations in the men's race, the women battled through a cold downpour, which apparently may have been artificially induced.
The winner of the rain soaked affair was Great Britain's Nicole Cooke, who finally earned a prize that she was earlier denied the opportunity from even attaining when her country chose not to include the then 17-year old Cooke on their Olympic roster.
The 25-year old Cooke would finally satiate her hunger, but it wasn't without some difficulty. At the final turn before the uphill finish, the 25-year old Cooke looked completely out of medal contention as she had some difficulty with the sudden change of incline [and perhaps the ankle high waters]. But she quickly regained her footing and powered straight through her competition to the finish line.
Sweden's Emma Johansson would take silver and Tatiana Guderzo (Italy) would take bronze.
Afterwards, a humble Cooke graciously gave praise to her teammates, both on the road and at home in Wales, "We did it, it was perfect. It's a dream come true," ... "I want to thank all the people who have been there from the start. I have worked so hard, I am so happy"
America's medal hopes would go by the wayside when Amber Neben dropped a chain and missed the winning move. Kristin Armstrong would be the United States' highest finisher in 25th.
More:
Wales Online - Cooke triumph could kick-start cycling gold rush
Guardian - Village pub in jubilant toast to local champion who was born to ride
Photos: Reuters
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