Judith Arndt looked left. Sara Carrigan went right -- and right past her.
Carrigan snuck past Arndt in the final straightaway to win the women's road race through downtown Athens. The Australian -- who, in her biography, lists Arndt as her idol -- finished the race in 3 hours 24 minutes 24 seconds.
Australia's Sara Carrigan exults after late move wins the women's road race.
(Eric Gaillard -- Reuters)
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American Kristin Armstrong finished eighth, and teammates Christine Thorburn and Dede Barry were 15th and 16th, respectively, 1:18 behind Carrigan. All three riders were competing in their first Olympics.
Russia's Olga Slyusareva won a frantic sprint to take the bronze medal, edging Australia's Oenone Wood and Dutch rider Mirjam Melchers.
Carrigan and Arndt, a top German rider, were among a group of seven riders that held an 18-second lead over the nearest chase pack entering the final lap. Carrigan broke away, and Arndt quickly followed.
Entering the final half-mile, Carrigan drafted off Arndt, waiting to make one final move. It came when Arndt looked over her left shoulder to see where she was. Carrigan quickly darted right and accelerated through the finish line. Arndt finished seven seconds behind.
The field of 67 riders had less arduous conditions than the men faced on Saturday. Temperatures stayed around 87 degrees, well below the 104 degree highs the men dealt in their race.
