Tokyo Olympics 2021- Bradley Wiggins hails new men's road race Olympic champion Richard Carapaz

Updated 24/07/2021 at 21:07 GMT

Britain's most decorated Olympian Bradley Wiggins hails the new men's road race Olympic champion Richard Carapaz as 'just too strong' in his reflection on the race. Wiggins also commented on the perfomances of silver and bronze medalists Wout van Aert and Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar as well as Britain’s Adam Yates.

'Brilliant day for cycling fans' - Sir Bradley Wiggins on men's road race

Sir Bradley Wiggins has hailed Richard Carapaz following the Ecuadorian's gold in the men’s road race at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Carapaz beat Wout van Aert and Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar by nearly a minute to reach the top of the Olympic podium.

Speaking after the race, Wiggins, who has won five Olympic gold medals and is in Japan for Eurosport, said that Carapas was “just too strong”.

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Richard Carapaz of Team Ecuador celebrates winning the gold medal during the Men's road race at the Fuji International Speedway on day one of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 24, 2021 in Oyama, Shizuoka, Japan.

Image credit: Getty Images

“Attack, after attack, after attack, and then it whittled down to Brandon McNulty and Richard Carapaz,” said Wiggins, reflecting on the men’s road race.

In the end Richard Carapaz proved to be too strong for Brandon McNulty who was swallowed up by the chasing group, of which Wout van Aert was clearly the strongest man.

“He was doing most of the chasing. It came back to 16 seconds at one point and then Richard Carapaz extended his lead to nearly a minute at the finish.

“The Tour de France winner just a week ago Tadej Pogacar almost beat Wout van Aert on the line for the silver medal but it wasn’t to be.

“Britain’s Adam Yates was in that group in the top 10 so a good day for everyone and a brilliant day for cycling fans.”

'Makes you teary-eyed' - Carapaz embraced by Ecuador team-mate in touching moment

Team GB’s Geraint Thomas was forced to abandon the Olympic road race following a collision with fellow Team GB rider Tao Geoghegan Hart, who had fallen in front of him.

This accident is the Brit's second in less than four weeks - he dislocated his shoulder in a crash at the Tour de France - and adds to his Olympic disappointment; he also crashed at Rio 2016 when well placed to medal.

Thomas, and the rest of the GB team, has another chance to secure gold on Wednesday in the men’s individual time trial.

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