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Friday, September 29
Zijlaard wins third gold of Games
Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia -- Mari Holden delivered a silver medal
for the United States in the women's Olympic time trial, setting
the stage for teammate Lance Armstrong in the men's race.
Leontien Zijlaard of the Netherlands won her third gold medal of
the Sydney Games Saturday (Friday night EDT) Olympics, covering the
18-mile women's course in 42 minutes flat.
Holden, of Colorado Springs, Colo., finished in 42:36, powering
her way through the two laps. After mechanical problems and a crash
eliminated her from Tuesday's road race, Holden wouldn't be denied
this time.
"I was definitely motivated today," said Holden, a five-time
national time trial champion. "I was just hoping for no flats."
Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli of France won the bronze in 42:52. Karen
Kurreck of Los Altos Hills, Calif., finished 16th in 44:33.
By her split times, Holden clearly was in the medal chase. But
since she was the fourth of 12 riders in her flight, the only
question was whether her fast times would withstand the challenge
of later riders.
"In my head, I thought I could win a medal," Holden said.
"But I think I was the only one to think that."
It was the second cycling medal for the United States, coming
after Marty Nothstein's gold in match sprint.
Holden had the fastest midpoint interval of any rider except
Zijlaard. Holden finished the first of two laps in 21:12 and the
time held up until Zijlaard came around in 20:46.
Zijlaard has dominated women's cycling in Sydney. She won gold
medals in the road race and 3,000-meter individual pursuit, where
she set a world record, and took silver in the points race.
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