Nhlapo hit by BMX bike

2008-08-22 06:28

Beijing - SA's Sifiso Nhlapo was hit on the head by the wheel of a rider and crashed out in the curve after the biggest jump of the BMX track in Friday's medal race.

He took out a few other riders in the inaugural BMX event.

The rider who hit Nhlapo managed to avoid a crash.

Latvia's Maris Strombergs won the gold medal in front of a packed, cheering stadium. American Mike Day took silver and his teammate Donny Robinson won the bronze.

Chausson won women's event

Strombergs said: "I was very cool and concentrated.

"I was just trying to take the gate and come out first.

"I just raced my race and it came out for the best."

Robinson was just in front of Nhlapo and skated by without falling, then pushed his way into third. Stombergs took the lead early and safely navigated the turns while Day tried hard to pass but failed.

Anne-Caroline Chausson of France won the gold medal in the women's event.

Chausson, a veteran rider who came out of retirement to compete in the Olympics, took gold after favourite Shanaze Reade of Britain crashed out in the final curve as she was trying to overtake the Frenchwoman.

'Last professional race'

Chausson's teammate Laetitia le Corguille won the silver and American Jill Kintner took the bronze.

Chausson said: "This is the result of two years of real hard work.

"This is definitely my last professional race."

The finals had been delayed by a day due to heavy rain on Thursday. The course had mostly dried by Friday, though there were wet patches on the asphalt curves and the dirt track.

- Reuters