Spitz takes mountain biking gold

Germany's Sabine Spitz eased to gold in the women's Olympic mountain biking, 41 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

Spitz, who took bronze four years ago, had time to stop five metres from home and carry her bike over the line as she won in 1 hour 45 minutes and 11 seconds

Maja Wloszezowska of Poland took the silver, with Russia's Irina Kalentieva third, a further 36 seconds back.

Spain's reigning world champion Margarita Fullana was among the riders not to finish in sweltering conditions.

Defending gold medallist Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa of Norway was another to pull out, technical problems curtailing her race.

But no-one could come near 36-year-old Spitz, who opened up a 21-second lead on the first lap, which she stretched to 48 seconds by the end of the second and from there she was never seriously threatened.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Beijing 2008 - cycling
UCI - Olympic cycling
Guide to UK cycling
BMX from the BOA
Road cycling from the BOA
Track cycling from the BOA
Mountain biking from the BOA
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