Elite men's road race is Sunday
Cyclists from Italy and France won gold medals in the women's and under-23 men's road race Saturday at the UCI Road World Championships at Medrisio, Switzerland.
Italy's Tatiana Guderzo won the women's road race in a solo attack from a four-woman breakaway that included the US's Kristin Armstrong in her last professional race.
The Boise, Idaho, pro cyclist finished with the group, but in fourth place, just missing out on a bronze in the road race to complement the gold medal she won Wednesday in the individual time trial.
Two Italians in break
Guderzo had the help of Italian teammate Noemi Cantele as the final break formed about 6 miles from the finish. Cantele finished in third, following The Netherlands's Marianne Vos in second. The trio trailed Guderzo across the line by 19 seconds.
Other US finishers in the 77-mile road race included Evelyn Stevens (15th, 1:07) and Mara Abbott (18th, 4:51). Celebrated French cyclist Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli, 50, finished 48th, 12:09 behind the winner.
Under-23 men
Frenchman Romain Sicard, 21, also celebrated a solo victory at the Under-23 men's road race on Saturday.
The 110-mile race for the men comprised 13 laps on a 8.5-mile course. US cyclist Alex Howe made a name for himself early by attacking in the first lap and creating a breakaway that lasted for a couple of laps.
The bike race was decided as the peloton came apart on a climb in the next to last lap and about two dozen cyclists sped ahead. Sicard and Michael Kreder of The Netherlands attacked this group and had a 30-second lead going into the last lap.
Sicard kept up the pressure and attacked on a climb, creating a decisive lead on Kreder, who faded and was passed by the chasers.
The Frenchman crossed the line first, ahead of Betancur Gomez Carlos Alberto (Colombia) and Egor Silin (Russia).
Elite men's road race
Coverage of the elite men's road race begins at 4:20 a.m. (ET) Sunday at UniversalSports.com . The US roster is:
Tom Danielson (Durango, Colo./Garmin-Slipstream)– Road Race and Time Trial
Tyler Farrar (Wenatchee, Wash./Garmin-Slipstream) – Road Race
Brent Bookwalter (Lookout Mountain, Ga./BMC Racing Team) – Road Race
Jeff Louder (Salt Lake City, Utah/BMC) – Road Race
Craig Lewis (Greenville, S.C./Columbia-High Road)– Road Race
Andrew Bajadali (Boulder, Colo./Kelly Benefit Strategies)– Road Race
Jason McCartney (Coralville, Iowa/Team Saxo Bank)– Road Race
Tim Duggan (Boulder, Colo./Garmin-Slipstream)– Road Race
Tom Peterson (North Bend, Wash./Garmin-Slipstream)– Road Race
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