Lizzie Armitstead misses out on Olympic road race medal

Great Britain's Lizzie Armitstead could only manage a fifth-place finish in the women's Olympic road race in Rio de Janeiro this evening.

The 27-year-old reigning world champion was a controversial participant having been allowed to compete despite missing three drugs tests in the build-up to the Games, but she was unable to earn a place on the podium during a dramatic race.

Instead, Netherlands rider Anna van der Breggen claimed gold, pipping Sweden's Emma Johansson to the line in a sprint finish by the Copacabana beach.

Elisa Longo Borghini made up the podium with a bronze, while Mara Abbott, who had looked destined for gold following a horrific crash for leader Annemiek van Vleuten on the final descent, was overtaken on the home straight and missed out on a medal entirely.

Van Vleuten had built up a decent lead over Abbott before crashing out in the closing stages during a treacherous section of the course.