Italian cyclist Bronzini defends world road race title

Giorgia Bronzini of Italy produced a trademark power sprint to successfully defend her elite road race title and leave Marianne Vos in tears at the road world championships on Saturday. Bronzini, 28, came over the finish line of the 140 km race a wheel length ahead of Dutchwoman Vos, who took her fifth consecutive silver medal in the event and sixth consecutive podium place. Ina-Yoko Teutenberg of Germany took third place, a full bike length behind, with Britain's Olympic champion Nicole Cooke finishing fourth. Canadian speed skating and cycling Olympian Clara Hughes had made an audacious bid for victory when she attacked late on the third from last of the race's 10 laps of a 14 km circuit. But despite powering to a lead of nearly a minute on a bunch which seemed reluctant to chase, her glory bid came to a virtual end once the peloton shook itself to life on the last lap. She was reeled in with a little over 3km to race, prompting a wave of attacks before the long stretch leading to the slightly uphill finish line. Once on the home straight the leading contenders were all back together but, as expected, the 500-metre uphill stretch leading to the finish was decisive. Vos had been led in superbly by a strong Dutch team, but once on the rise Teutenberg made a solo bid for glory on the left hand side. As she slowed, Bronzini was brought up the inside of the barriers on the wheel of a teammate. Vos appeared to be impeded by Teutenberg and had to pull around the German as she tried to follow Bronzini when the Italian went alone. Vos, however, never recovered from that extra effort and, despite a late surge metres before the finish, she failed to pull pull level with the Italian. The week-long championships end Sunday with the 266 km men's road race.