Olympics: Lotte Kopecky wins bronze in women's cycling road race

Lotte Kopecky won bronze in the women's road race on Sunday, finishing centimetres behind Dutch cyclist Marianne Vos in the 158km race. Kristen Falkner of the US took gold.

Vos and Hungary's Blanka Vas looked set for gold and silver for a long time, with a 40-second lead. But with the help of Falkner, Kopecky was able to catch up with the two leaders in the final stretch of the race.

With 3km to go, it was the American who accelerated to leave the others behind and secure gold. In a tight sprint for silver, Vos just edged out Kopecky, with Vas finishing fourth.

It is Kopecky's first Olympic medal, after she finished sixth in the time trial last weekend. She will have another chance to win a medal next week, when the track cycling events begin. She will compete in the women's omnium on Sunday.

On Saturday, teammate Remco Evenepoel won gold in the men's race, to claim his second gold of the Games.

^{© PHOTO MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP}