Wet weather causes CHAOS in Paris Olympics time trials as cyclists struggle to stay on their bikes… with American rider falling off FOUR times and their mechanic also taking a tumble
- American cyclist Taylor Knibb slipped four times during nightmarish race
- Chloe Dygert, favourite for the race, lost gold due to her fall
- And it was silver for Team GB as Anna Henderson navigated the wet weather
On the first morning of the Olympic Games in Paris, many cyclists fell from their bikes as participants struggled to cope with the wet conditions.
American athlete Taylor Knibb slipped from her bike four times during the women’s road time trials as rain poured down in the French capital.
She was soon followed by her mechanic who rushed out onto the road to give the cyclist a new bike.
Chloe Dygert, the pre-race favourite, also made a mistake on the track when she tried to overtake Australian Grace Brown.
Ultimately, she finished just one second behind Team GB’s Anna Henderson, with the British rider securing a spectacular silver medal.
Taylor Knibb pictured today falling off her bike during the Olympic Games in Paris
And soon she was followed by her mechanic who flew onto the road as he rushed to get the cyclist a new bike
American athlete Knibb slipped off her bike four times during the women’s road time trials
Anna Henderson (pictured left) of Team GB won a spectacular silver medal, while Australia’s Grace Brown (right) took gold
There were many crashes during the race as the cyclists braved the dangerous conditions of Paris, knowing that one crash would mean the end of their chance of a medal.
Soon, Danish Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig slipped on her left side, after which she carefully got back on her bike.
Then disaster struck for American Knibb, who was fastest on the 13.1 km split point, when she fell twice within minutes, once in exactly the same place as her Danish counterpart.
Knibb’s hopes were completely dashed when she got a flat tire in the pouring rain and her mechanic slipped when he arrived to replace the bike.
Even after the rain stopped, the roads of Paris were still flooded. The gray clouds and gloomy weather provided a dramatic backdrop for the event.
Reigning road world champion Lotte Kopecky was the next to fall victim to the slippery surface, landing hard on the hard surface.
As the first runners crossed the finish line, it was clear that the weather had taken its toll. The exhausted runners finished the race with bloodied knees and bruised bodies.
Australia’s Grace Brown claimed a glorious gold medal on a chaotic afternoon, ending a career that will come to an end at the end of the season.
A number of athletes fell today, but Knibb was particularly unlucky
Chloe Dygert’s gold hopes were dashed when she crashed this afternoon
Henderson pictured during the women’s time trial which was dominated by crashes
Her margin of victory was a whopping 91 seconds, which was even more impressive considering the strength of the field and the tough conditions.
Behind her was Britain’s Henderson, who has made a brave comeback in the last six months after two collarbone injuries.
The 25-year-old was cheered on by Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes, who stayed dry under a black umbrella.