Lizzie Armitstead's Worlds win 'a landmark moment in our history', says British Cycling
British Cycling president pays tribute to new world champion after road race win
British Cycling president Bob Howden has hailed Lizzie Armitstead's win in the UCI Road World Championships road race as "a landmark moment" in the organisation's history.
Armitstead sprinted to victory in Richmond, USA, to cap a remarkable season in which she successfully defended her World Cup title.
"This is a landmark moment in the history of British Cycling," said Howden. "Lizzie represents the best of our great sport and deserves all the praise coming her way."
Armitstead is the fourth British woman to be crowned world champion, following in the footsteps of Beryl Burton, Mandy Jones and Nicole Cooke.
Howden added: "I am very proud to have been there to see it in person, and in the company of Johnny Clay, now cycle sport and membership director at British Cycling, who spotted Lizzie's potential when she was still at school in Otley."
The win was all the more surprising for the fact that, with one lap of the course to go, Armitstead looked virtually out of contention. A nine-rider break led the peloton by 40 seconds, and there appeared little appetite to chase them down with most major nations — but not Great Britain — represented in the leading group.
>>> Lizzie Armitstead "willing to lose in order to win" World Championships
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
However the Dutch team did organise a chase, apparently lacking confidence in Amy Pieters's ability to win a sprint. When the break was caught, Armitstead was able to take advantage and win a sprint for the line.
Howden said: "Lizzie's coolness under pressure in the final kilometre is the hallmark of all great champions of cycling. She was the pride of Yorkshire and Great Britain already — now she's the best in the world."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
Egan Bernal says he has regained his pre-crash form, but others have improved
Colombian, who suffered traumatic training accident in 2022, aiming for return to Tour de France
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Lotte Kopecky to miss Tour de France Femmes with Olympics the main goal
World Champion set to ride Tour of Britain Women and Giro d'Italia Donne before Paris games
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Unprecedented’ television audiences revealed for cycling Super Worlds
Fans around the world watched more than 200 million hours in August
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Team USA at Road Worlds: Are Powless and Dygert our best hopes for a medal?
Here's who we'll be watching in the rainbow battles in Glasgow, Scotland.
By Henry Lord Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Lizzie Deignan
The trailblazing British cyclist has been at the top of the sport for over a decade
By Adam Becket Published
-
Lizzie Deignan to make Tour de France Femmes debut this July
'It's the biggest stage in the world,' says Brit
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Glasgow UCI World Championships bags Lidl partnership
Supermarket chain becomes official fresh food partner for the championships taking place in Glasgow in August
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
CW Live: USA Cycling announces Esports roster; Soudal Quick-Step and Israel-Premier Tech release new kit; Lizzie Deignan back racing in May; Peter Sagan 'disappointed' in Wout van Aert; Cyclist killed in London
Everything you need to know in the world of cycling this Friday
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Ukrainian cyclist disqualified from World Championships after blood sample result
Mykhaylo Kononenko's blood sample revealed the presence of the banned substance tramadol
By Tom Davidson Published
-
How many calories do you burn winning the World Championship road race?
It’s the equivalent of six margherita pizzas, according to Remco Evenepoel's Strava data
By Tom Davidson Last updated