Christian Vande Velde, Olympic road race in Beijing, China Previewed as one of the hardest road races in Olympic history, today’s hot and humid 245.5 km course proved to be a race of attrition for the 143 cyclists who started the day at Yongdingmen Gate. Of the 90 riders who finished, Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O Christian Vande Velde (left) was 17th and the second American behind Levi Leipheimer, who finished 11th.

The more than six hours of racing were filled with attacks and breakaways. Canadian Ryder Hesjedal (below right) joined an early and very promising break that included Carlos Sastre, Alejandro Valverde and Kim Kirchen among other favorites. But the American, Russian and Italian teams eventually put an end to that adventure. The race came down to a six-man sprint that was won by Spaniard Samuel Sanchez.

David Zabriskie dropped out halfway into the race in order to save himself for the individual time trial on Wednesday, August 13.

Ryder Hesjedal, Olympic road race in Beijing, China Team Garmin-Chipotle H3O results
1. Samuel Sanchez 6h23′49″
2. Davide Rebellin +00″
3. Fabian Cancellara +00″

17. Christian Vande Velde +22″
54. Julian Dean +10′37″
56. Ryder Hesjedal +10′37″
DNF David Zabriskie