Michael Woods finished 5th in the road race

Richard Carapace won the solo, splitting five kilometers to the finish line. He completed 234 kilometers in 6 hours 5 minutes 26 seconds, counting nearly 5,000 meters.

The other medals were decided in a sprint between a team of eight riders, which ended at 1:07 behind Ecuador on the Fuji Motor Circuit.

Winner of the Tour de France, Slovenian Tadez Pogakar finished 3rd behind Belgian Wat van Ert. The following July, Grande recorded three stage victories at the Bouquet.

Decisive growth

Before the decisive ascent of Mikuni Pass, he was captured by Peloton, fifty kilometers from the end of the split. Quebec Guillaume Bovine was able to put Woods well ahead of the crowd to attack this difficult section of the course.

This third ascent, which took place in hot and humid conditions, was the most abrupt in the race, not forgiving many runners. Only twenty people were glued to the popular team, including the 34-year-old Ottavian.

After a few repeated attacks, the attack of American Brandon McConaughey and Carapace was decisive. The two riders escaped with just 20 kilometers to go. Karapaz launched his final attack six kilometers from the end, in a false flat at the exit from Mount Kogasaka. McNalty could not follow him. In the next kilometer the first group absorbed the American.

Pogakar’s nature, von Ert, but along with Dutchman Bouk Mollema, Frenchman David Goud and Ecuador’s Rigoberto Uranus, Woods is still able to excel in sprint.

I wanted to attack the last climb many times, but I could not avoid riders like Peloton and Wat Van Ert, Explained Woods.

Known for his qualities as a climber, he hopes to avoid such a sprint final, which would be less favorable for him.

I was a little disappointed, but I’m proud of myself and the way I ran, Added.

After backing him up to Mikuni Mountain, his teammates Guillaume Bovin (+16: 20) and Hugo Howell (+19: 50) eventually finished in the 65th and 85th levels.

Guillaume and Hugo helped me a lot. These two runners are very strong. I was so lucky to be able to count them. At one point I was trapped in the fall, next to several runners who had fallen, and I broke my shoe. I was able to change that in the race for Guiloum and Hugo who rescued me and allowed me to enter Peloton. They kept me well for the last climb.

Three Canadian cyclists take part in the Tokyo Games Road Race.

Photo: afp / BEN STANSALL by Getty Images

We did the race we wanted to do, which means we stayed calm, we saved Mike and most of all, we put him up for the final bump, Bovin said as soon as the race was over. We’re in the game, Mike is in the game. Almost a medal … I think we can be happy with our race even if we get close.

The current Olympic champion, Belgian Greg van Avermet, gave up almost 50 kilometers from the goal. About forty runners did not finish the race.

Great progress

This 5th place is a clear improvement for Woods, who finished 55th at the 2016 Rio Games. He was weakened by a triple fracture in his hand, suffering a few weeks before the Olympics.

Woods hopes to win a medal on Japanese soil. He also had Prematurely exited the Tour de France, Before the 19th stage, to increase his preparation for the Olympic road race.

Michael Woods: 5th place in cycling as a team

Photo: Radio-Canada