Lizzie Armitstead Wins Cycling Silver Medal For Team GB In Women's Road Race

Lizzie Armitstead has won Britain's first medal in the London 2012 Olympics, winning silver in the women's road race for team GB.

Marianne Vos secured a gold medal for The Netherlands, while Bronze was awarded to Russia's Olga Zabelinskaya.

As Armitstead came off the course, she tearfully told the BBC's Jill Douglas: "It's really strange, I'm a bit shocked. "

It was 23-year-old Lizzie Armitstead's first Olympic Games.

Thinking back over the road race, Armitstead paid tribute to her teammate Emma Pooley, who led the quad on the Box Hill in Surrey part of the course.

Pooley has been praised for her aggressive style on the track, with one commentator saying Pooley really "attacked the race."

Armitstead told the BBC: "Emma Pooley did exactly what was asked on Box Hill, I am so glad I committed to that race.

"Marianne Vos was the one to watch and I knew that before the race, I played my tactics and thankfully it came off."

Union Jack flag-waving fans lined the home straight, with many chanting "Lizzie Lizzie!"

Describing the support from spectators and family she told the BBC: "It's the most special thing I ever experienced in my life. It was absolutely amazing. I didn't even feel my legs, it was just so special."

Proud: Lizzie shows off her medal

Lizzie Armitstead's mother Carol today said she was "so proud" of her daughter's silver medal in the women's cycling road race, adding: "It is more than we can have hoped for."

Her tearful grandfather Ray Dunn added: "I was disappointed and delighted - I knew she wanted the gold. I am tearful, I am delighted."

Her grandmother, Marjorie Dunn, sporting a t shirt with "I'm Lizzie's Grandma" emblazoned across the front, added: "A granddaughter who is an Olympian is something very, very special."

Armitstead rode alongside Nicole Cooke, Emma Pooley and Lucy Martin on the 140km course. It was Armitstead's first Olympics.

Cooke won gold in the road race at the Beijing Olympics and praised Armitstead today for her "fantastic ride."

She told the BBC: "It feels great, we came in here with a serious chance and we did it. Lizzie did a fantastic ride, we were there backing her up but she didn't need it because she was superb."

With the peloton cast adrift, 23-year-old Armitstead, from Otley near Leeds, was always in line for Britain's first medal of the home Games, but the question remained which colour.

Paula Radcliffe who will not be competing in the marathon event in the Olympics due to an injury said the win was the first time she had smiled today. She tweeted:

"First time I smiled today was watching @L_Armitstead claim silver in the womens road race - well done!"

Armitstead positioned herself behind the Dutchwoman entering the finishing straight but Vos was strong enough to hold off the Briton, who had to settle for second.

Vos was elated to win gold. She told reporters: "I am just so happy to win. After Beijing this is what I wanted for four years and now it has happened it's incredible."

Britain's women have a chance to add to their medal tally tonight as Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington competes in the final of the 400 metres freestyle.

The 23-year-old swimmer, who is defending the two titles she won in Beijing four years ago, dominated her race from start to finish but then had to look on as two extremely fast heats threatened to edge her out.

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