RIO DE JANEIRO _ The United States came extremely close to winning a cycling medal in the women's road race on Sunday. Mara Abbott was in sight of the finish line when she was passed by a pack that included Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands, Emma Johansson of Sweden and Elisa Longo of Italy.
Cyclists usually work together, which can give them added speed. Abbott had been working with Annemiek van Vleuten of the Netherlands until she crashed about 6.5 miles from the finish. It left Abbott exposed and her 38-second lead quickly evaporated.
Van der Breggen won gold while Johansson took home the silver. Megan Guarnier (11th) and Evelyn Stevens (12th) also competed for the U.S.
