BBC One: Day 11: 07:45-11:45 Commonwealth Games

A very good morning to you from Glasgow Green on this, the very last

day of competition at the Commonwealth Games. It really has

flown by, hasn't it? But there are still 11 gold medals on offer today.

Of course, tonight will be the closing ceremony at Hampden Park but

two of those gold medals will come in the street of Glasgow in the

men's and women's road race is forced up at 8am, in just 15 minutes

time, the women will be first. Watch out for England's Lizzie Armitstead.

And the likes of Laura Trott, Dani King, going for Scotland. The men,

the 12 laps, roughly 100 miles. 8am the women, 12pm for the men. The

women first, if you cast your minds back to 2012, Lizzie Armitstead in

the rain who took Team GB's first medal, it was a silver medal. Two

years before that it was also a silver medal for Lizzie, and in

people 's mind, she is the first one to step up and make it gold in

Glasgow. Vos is at the front, Armitstead is

trying to get in front! Both riders looking for the line, where is the

gold medal going to go? Vos gets gold. Armitstead gets silver. I

think it will be hard to top that but I feel like a lot has changed in

two years. I feel like a different athlete. I feel like a different

person. London capsular did the whole of Great Britain and now that

we have Glasgow, it has only been two years and I think that the

atmosphere will roll on -- London encapsulated the whole of Great

Britain. Although it is Scotland, it feels like a home Games to me, only

a couple of hours up the road. Everyone who was at London has the

opportunity to watch me in Glasgow as well. Delighted with 2014. 2013

and I am happy to forget about. It has definitely turned around this

season. I had a good winter and I was in good shape right from the

very beginning. It was really important for me personally, because

you can convince yourself that an Olympic medal is a fluke if you

really want to, but obviously it wasn't. I worked very hard for it

and I just had a bad season last year and it was nice to be a will to

come back and get that confidence again, that when I do have a good

run of health and consistent training that I am capable of being

the best. Cycling is a team sport. It is very difficult to explain to

people because there is only one medal at the end of the day, but

without a strong team then your chances are 50% less. I went to the

Commonwealth Games in India, and actually really enjoyed it. Who is

going to take it on the line? The gold medal is going to Australia! It

was more a case of experiencing things. I was a lot younger then. I

think Lizzie Armitstead may have just taken a silver medal. I came

away from Delhi happy but I would not be happy with a silver this

time. I am not used to the pressure and all the other things that come

along with being a favourite but I will try to embrace it. Logically

now, sat here, I know that I am capable of it so maybe I will try to

watch this interview back the night before. Yes, a big day for Lizzie

Armitstead. Chris Boardman alongside me. Lizzie has had a great year so

far. It is really set up for her, isn't it? I think so, which might be

a problem of course, she has hardly been out of the top five since the

start of the season, so she is the hot favourite which means she will

be heavily marked. The course is good for her, lots of ramps. For

people at home who don't know road racing, when you say marks, what do

you mean? You can sit behind somebody in cycling and spend maybe

30 or 40% less energy than them. If you know somebody is strong, you

stick behind them and then try to take over them in the sprint. The

other factor for Lizzie is that she raced a week ago in Paris, and had a

nasty fall. She was well set up then. I was working on the race and

watching her, and she looked me in good form and hunting for the win.

Just over a kilometre to go, she got involved in a bit of a stack and

that was the end of the weekend for her, but at least we know the form

is there. One of the things we know about road racing is that you need a

good team, and Lizzie has a team of all stars.

Here comes Pooley, come on Emma Pooley. Armitstead is going for the

line! Armitstead gets silver, they are on fire! Dani King, Laura Trott

and Joanna Rowsell. The gold medal is going to go to Laura Trott! It

went down to the wire. It is Laura Trott for a loan, Laura Trott who

gets it, right on the line! Laura Trott, -- Laura Trott for England.

She is now the women's Commonwealth points champion as well.

Yes, Chris, quite a team. Laura Trott, who won the national road

race, Emma Pooley, who just got silver in the time trial. Lizzie

will be well protected. These would normally be the people she is

competing against and I have to wonder, maybe a bit mischievous, but

if they all come to the final climb with just over 2.5 kilometres to go,

whether those rules will change. I don't know. They are all winners,

that is the problem, in the same team. They are by far the strongest.

I think it will be difficult to take that instinct away. So England

perhaps the strongest team, Australia, a lot of people talking

about them, I don't think they have ever lost a women's road race

title, have they? They are very good at racing as a team. Tiffany

Cromwell, one they are touting as their leader, nominally so, I have

riders who can go in all day. There is no out and out winner but they

have lots of strong, riders. Scotland and Wales, Katie Archibald

and Elinor Barker, they both look good on the track. Katie Archibald

really fought hard on that time trial. She is clearly on form, she

has an opportunity, both of them have, to show what they can do with

the very best competition here. You might find that while all the

favourites are quite concentrated on watching each other, they take the

opportunity to slip away. You also have the time trial champion from

few days ago, Linda Villumsen. Again, if you let her slip away, it

will be very difficult to pull back. One issue for Lizzie, which she has

mentioned herself, the length of this course, around 60 miles,

relatively short for a road race. It is. I don't think it will change the

result, personally. You might just find there are slightly more people

there in at the death but it is a fascinating course for them. I think

it will bring out the best racing. I am going to let you go to the

commentary box, and we are going to look at the Diarra girder Boardman

course guide. We are on the edge of the Trossachs

National Park, surrounded by beautiful countryside and

challenging rides. Is a street circuit really enough to find worthy

Commonwealth champions? I will look at the course and find out. All I

need is a swift steeds to carry me around.

There are no distinct hills to speak of on the circuit, which will be

completed 12 times by the men and seven by the women, to make a total

race distance of 168 and 90 kilometres respectively. It does not

mean there is not any climbing, and it is all hidden from Plainview.

Spread evenly over the 14th, two circuit, six small inclines, none of

them more than a few metres long -- few 100 metres long, but some start

from a dead turn. That will kill all of the riders's speed and gear

selection, and placing near the front will be absolutely critical.

In fact, during the men's race, they will tackle 84 of these, that's 609

metres of climbing per lap -- 609 feet of climbing. So nobody will be

able to sit in and wait for the sprint.

As if all that was not enough to deal with, I counted 38 distinct

corners they are going to have to negotiate on each and every lap, and

none of them more important than this one. At 2.5 kilometres to go as

they enter Rottenrow. It is an easy left-hander that it takes them onto

a steep and cobbled assent. It might only be a short section but these

smooth, slippery corals have got the organisers so worried they have

covered the majority of them up where the riders will be doing most

of their braking, with this gritty surface will stuff they will take a

pretty much dogleg right hand to a wide road that will take them down

to the park. In normal conditions a corner like this would not give

riders too many difficulties. In normal conditions. And that is

because the cobbled and paved sections of the course, like

Buchanan Street, normally pedestrianised, are incredibly

slippery when wet, as you may have noticed by the full waterproof

clothes, rain is forecast for the event itself. Both ends of the

course had abruptly into some of Glasgow's beautiful parks. They are

lovely to look at but for the athletes they represent a sudden

bottleneck that will force those too far back to brake sharply, and they

will have to sprint to get back in. So stay in the first 20 to 30, that

will be critical. I think this circuit around the iconic streets of

Glasgow is absolutely magnificent. It has got everything we could

possibly want in a championship circuit and will find a worthy

winner, and to win here you are not only going to need to be physically

strong but technically skilled, and tactically very astute. I think we

should ride the race on these bikes, personally...

Yes, it looks like a great course and one that has gained lots of

products. Expect a fast and aggressive race. As you can see, the

women are out on the start line, the highly, off in three or four minutes

time. Jill Douglas, before we go to the race start, has a very

interesting guest with her. Let's see if Armitstead gets through...

Weather conditions here are a bit different to when you won the gold

medal in Delhi four years ago, so you are the current reigning

Commonwealth champion, what are your memories of that day? It was hot and

muggy that day, and I already had two silver medals from Manchester

and Melbourne, so to win the gold in Delhi was pretty special for me. The

Australians come here again with a very strong team. Yes, the pressure

is on. I hope they can hold onto the gold medal but it will be a tough

race. They say will be a bit of chaos out there. Everybody wants a

hard race because Lizzie Armitstead is one the favourites. The

Australians will have to raise hard. You have a number of riders riding

here but all the different patients. Yes, I have mixed emotions but at

the end of the day I have more chances of winning and feeling like

a winner today, because I have two riders in the Welsh team, the

English team and the New Zealand team. I would like Australia to

bring home the gold medal. Mixed feelings, but I think it will be a

really, really strong and exciting race. Let's look at Lizzie

Armitstead, silver medal in the limpet road race, she crashed last

week in Paris in that big race there. -- the Olympic road race.

Howedes think she held up after the crash in Paris? All word is saying

Lizzie has recovered from the crash was. She has stitches in her elbow.

I saw the crash and even in slow motion it was a really hard crash.

In my opinion, it has got to be playing in the back of Lizzie's

mind. She lost the national championships a few weeks ago which

has probably dented her confident a little bit but she was the strongest

rider in the race, and she is probably the longest -- strong list

rider along with Linda Villumsen and Emma Pooley in this race. That cross

last week and has probably knocked around a little bit. I think Lizzie

is feeling a lot of pressure -- that crashed last week. She can hopefully

treat it like any other race because she has got good fitness and good

form. So the scene is set. Can Lizzie Armitstead turn what was

silver in Delhi and silver in London to gold in Glasgow?

women's road race, the weather appearing markedly better than

yesterday, where it rained for most of the day and also in the night.

The road is still greasy. As you can see, Laura Trott in the centre, Emma

Pooley, on the right, the silver medallist from Thursday in the time

trial. We have got a strong feel for this one. It promises to be a very

competitive race. -- strong field. I get the oppression, Chris, that they

will be looking to thin out the field as quickly as possible. They

are certainly going to have the opportunity, as they rode away. --

roll away. They have got 38 terms on this course, as I saw yesterday. It

is still wet. It is going to string out very quickly, and they are going

to encounter short, sharp climbs, spaced roughly equally, six of them,

around the course, which will help to see off some of the riders. I

think it will be somewhat attritional. The course is

deceptively undulating, more climbing than would at first appear.

The riders are heading out through the green. The finish is exactly the

same as for the time trials, the other day. As we were mentioning,

the roads are still wet, here. In a kilometre or so, they will be going

to Dungannon Street, normally pedestrianised, but with smooth

paving. We were looking at that this morning. The right-hand turn from

Argyle Street into the pedestrianised area of Buchanan

Street will be very interesting if it rains again. One of the Kenyan

riders, there, just a little late of the start line. She will have two

catch up soon because the pace is only going to get faster from here.

-- have to catch up. 98, does, a pretty short race. Seven laps of

this 14, to circuit. -- 14 kilometre circuit. Mostly at the moment, these

are quiet streets of the city centre of Glasgow, although when we wander

down and our so ago, there were a fair number of people here but I

don't think they were out early to get their spot on the barriers. Some

of them had a very good Saturday night out and it was only just

coming to an end. We can see, they are on very wide roads, now. That is

the nature of this course, it chops and changes. There are elements when

they go into parks, at either end of the course, and it suddenly gets

extremely narrow. They are on one of the main shopping streets, Argyle

Street. As you suggest, it gets a bit narrow. They are going onto a

cobbled section and there is a chicane that they will come to

shortly. Just a little pink in the road, right in the centre of the

city. There we go. -- a little kink. Heading towards the right-hand

turn of the pedestrianised Buchanan Street. Certain teams already to the

fore, wanting to check out these corners themselves, and the race

conditions. It has dried out slightly. They are quite tentative,

just being careful. The nature of the course as much as

anything, with that term, meaning the field strung out as they took

the right-hander, up Buchanan Street. It is difficult to move up

once it strings out like this. It takes a considerable amount of

energy. Sometimes it is worth the extra work to stay at the front,

even though you are working harder than you would be a few riders back

because it keeps you out of trouble and you don't have the constant

acceleration and deceleration. You can see the riders at the back cover

was come to a standstill and then have to spring to catch back-up. If

you are near the front, you are working harder but it is a nice,

easy pace. The first incline at St Vincent Street, they are a couple of

blocks north of the central Glasgow railway station.

Vincent Street, they are a couple of blocks north of the central As you

can see, the riders from Australia and New Zealand, and one or two from

England, and Joyce Muthoni Mwangi has not been able to get back onto

the rear of the peloton. For as long as she is able to remain in the

race, she will effectively be riding an individual time trial, here, on

the streets. As you can see, a noticeably different pace at the

front of the peloton are ready. -- already. The other macro I think

you'll find we lose half a dozen riders at least in the first lap the

cause. They are strong back out. It is steeper than it looks, this,

probably a 10% gradient. Tamiko Butler, the Antigua Barbuda rider,

will show her face as long as possible at the front of the race.

It already looks a long time for Joyce Muthoni Mwangi. This is the

first climb of very many in this race. Quite a few short, sharp

inclines, as you will see as the laps go by. Seven laps, here, for

the women. They are slowly heading towards Kelvingrove Park. Swinging

around into Elm bank Street, there. Nice shots of the city at the

moment. The clouds are gathering but we have not got any rain at the

moment. It looks very hit and miss. We will have showers throughout the

day, forecast. That will have an impact on the race. At the moment,

you can see that the roads are still a little bit damp in places. Emma

Pooley, coming up on the left in the red and white. And more riders

dropping out of the back of the race. Carol du-Pont and Linda

Loffler from Swaziland. Very cautiously taking the corner.

Up towards Charing Cross Station. Dani King, in the centre of the

picture, and very strong teams from New Zealand and Australia, like

Chloe Hosking Frosterley, who got a bronze medal four years ago, saying

she hoped this is her redemption day. The last time she was riding in

a major race in the UK, a couple of years ago, the limbic scum she said

she did not cope with the pressure well and it did not go well for her

and she is looking to make amends. Linda Villumsen looked in fantastic

form on Thursday when she finally got to the top step of the podium,

adding a gold medal to all the silver and bronze medals she has won

at World Championship level. She was not far-away in the Olympics road

race, finishing fifth. I can't help thinking this is not an ideal course

for her. As you say, she broke the duck and got herself onto the top

step of the podium which was wonderful to see, a few days ago.

The Australian team have got real strength in depth. Chloe Hosking has

got to fancy their chances. She prefers this kind of course. I think

Dani King in the English team or have been charged with keeping

things under control early in the race. Dani King is at the front at

the moment as they go through Kelvingrove Park, up by where the

bowls has been held during the games. Still a little bit greasy

underneath the branches of the trees.

saying, in the Australian squad. Tiffany Cromwell, who was ninth in

the World Championship last year, Gracie Elvin, the road race

champion, winning last week. Katrin Garfoot had the bronze medal in the

time trial, and Gillow as well, finishing in sixth place. Melissa

Hoskins, as well, the 23-year-old. Really stringing out at the back

already, here. Probably about 40 riders in the bunch before the tail.

We have lost five or ten riders before the end of the first lap. It

is actually quite a strong pace, as they exit Kelvingrove Park. Heading

out towards the far end of the course, near Glasgow University.

Right into the heart of the West End.

They will climb away from the river, towards the top end of the

course, quite quickly, now they are out of the park. Then they will head

back through some technical sections. Hannah Barnes races for

the United health care team in the US these days, eighth in the women's

Tour, the very successful inaugural women's Tour in Britain, held in

May. Enormous crowds on the stages, there, particularly in the finishing

areas. A very popular race, won by Marianne Voss. We can see very

clearly that England have shown early in this race the strategy. We

have heard that they will be riding for Lizzie Armitstead. Hannah Barnes

and Dani King have been charged with the early work. Already, we have got

more than ten riders in trouble. Bianca Hern old, who was riding on

the track and read the time trial the other day. And both Sri Lanka

riders, Wickramasingha, there, finding it tough. Claire

Fraser-Green from Dayan, and also down towards the back end of the

field, Marina Bleasdale from Guernsey. -- Fraser-Green, from

Dayan. Already, this race proving very

difficult. You can see how steep some of these short climbs are.

Some of them are getting on for 20% gradient. This is really thinning

out the field already, stringing them out around the circuit. A

reminder, seven laps, 98 kilometres, for the women's race.

It is turn after turn after turn, on the streets. You can see the width

changing all the time as well. It is one of those races where you have to

expend quite a lot of energy as the first 20 riders, keeping the pace

up, straight into the descent. There is no time for Beagle to regroup at

all. This group of riders is maybe 100 metres long, now. -- there is no

time for you to regroup at all. They are able to get some speed up along

Gibson Street, and they are heading into Woodlands Road shortly. They

will take the sharp turn into the park quadrant. It is almost a

gratuitous loop, around some beautiful housing in Glasgow. It is

a great present the Tour indeed. Perhaps not for them, when they do

the sharp right hand turn. Maybe we will get to see it. They are about

to turn right, they have almost doubled back on themselves, in about

100 metres from now. And then they will head up towards Parc Circus.

Here we go, there is the turn. A very difficult course, but not in

a normal way. Just these small ramps, all the time, one after the

other, some just 100 or 200 metres long, and then straight into a

descent. It is whittling down this field incredibly quickly. We are

just a few kilometres into the race, just over half a lap, and already, I

would say, 20% of the field has been distanced. There we are, Parc Circus

-- Park Circus in the centre. As Chris was saying, you can see how

the field has been whittled down in this last lap also. -- also.

It won't be long before they head down Lynne Dock Street, before

turning right and then heading back into the centre of the city, but

that Street is cobbled. It looks as though the cobbles will become very

smooth if it rains. They have taken measures for that. It does not need

much to start a slide. You can see the wheel tracks of the riders and

so there is still quite a lot of water on the roads. A brief look at

the small group containing Claire Oakley, off the back, the rider from

Northern Ireland, and Emma Pooley. Up towards the front of the race,

Hannah Barnes on there as well, and Australia making sure they have got

somebody monitoring events on the front of the peloton. I had a look

at this course yesterday, and it looked like it was a simple street

circuit. It looks different yesterday anyway for a number of

reasons, mainly due to the horizontal rain falling down. 200

feet plus of climbing in this race. No distinct claims that they have to

go up No distinct claims that they have to

go but all of these short ramps are adding up, and combined with the

corners, it is a very, very physical course. Clear

heading right back into the centre of the city now.

The riders from New Zealand up towards the front. Rushlee Buchanan

as well and from the Isle of Man, Laura Wasley. At the moment, Dani

King in the centre of Laura Wasley. At the moment, Dani

Emma Pooley on the right. Really starting to thin out. Anna Christian

from the Isle of Man, a really promising young rider, shortly to

turn 19. Still in that lead group. That is now down to about 20, 25

riders tops, out of a field of well over 60 at the start, 63 riders, so

that is incredible. We are down to nearly a third of the field left. It

does look to me as if they are heading down towards Nelson Mandela

Place. It is a fast, fast road down here. Switch left and right shortly.

You can get some good speed up here before heading through a little

square of Nelson Mandela Plays, in towards George Street. They will go

across the top of Buchanan Street, part of Buchanan Street. They have a

nasty surprise coming up, as they go hard left. In the Montrose Street.

Yes, the route really kicks up, short, sharp and not so pleasant at

all that will become more noticeable the laps go by. This left-hander, I

think it is actually the steepest climb on the circuit. It comes just

a few short kph the finish. It is the last hill they have to negotiate

before they come back down to the park, Glasgow Green. Hoskins at the

front for Australia. She is a world bronze medallist on the track in the

team pursuit. Major successes have come on the track. Silver medallist

as well from the scratch race couple of years ago in the worlds. Just

gives you eight limbs of how steep that is. You can see how high they

have climbed in probably 15 seconds of riding. There is Libby Armitstead

-- Lizzie Armitstead with the orange tinted glasses, and that gives you

some idea of the gradient these riders are having to overcome here.

It is not a long climb but it really knocks you out of your stride. The

difficulty for the backmarkers is it tips over image Lee and there is no

real respite for them to try to get back on. You can see this bunch is

whittling down to 20, 25 riders every time they hit one of these

ramps, and then slowly people are clawing their way back but they can

probably only do that ten times in this race before they can no longer

make contact. Karina Bowie of Guernsey finding it tough. One of

the riders from the Isle of Man too into some difficulties. Laura

Wasley. Meanwhile, at the front of the peloton... They are coming down

to set up for the turn into Rottenrow. Only 50 metres of road.

You can see it from the helicopter shot. They have resurfaced the

cobbled streets with a grippy material because it will be so

dangerous when wet to get the riders around the corner. Onto the cobbles,

another patch of the special service, as they turn back off, the

descent back down to the park. They will almost have completed their

first lap now. Back down the high Street, past the high Street

station. This nice, wide, sweeping descent. Hannah Barnes in the blue

and white hat there. Emma Pooley up towards the front. Hoskins as well.

Just a bit further up, Halbwach of Mauritius, number 32. Once you have

lost contact, it is very difficult to get back on terms. Just trying to

hold onto the back of the peloton, News Olivier from South Africa. --

Lisa Olivier. They are close to Glasgow Green at the end of the

first lap. Twisting through the park too, Simon, with some changing

widths of road. We saw a couple of right-hand bends inside the party at

Glasgow Green, way you do need to take care. We were noting on

Thursday that it could be a bit tricky, if the roads were greasy and

wet, but thankfully, as you can see, the weather has much improved over

the last 12 hours or so. Very, very wet here yesterday. Dani King on the

right-hand side of the green. Anna Christian there on the far left, in

the black of the Isle of Man with the yellow and red trim. We have a

lot of the good riders right at the front here. It is the kind of course

where you have to be attentive, and work the extra energy at least for

the first couple of laps as they get a feel for this circuit and the race

conditions. They all will have ridden around these roads already.

Never with barriers like this, where they have the whole use of the road.

Anna Christian on the front at the moment.

river now. You have to be careful on this left-hander. To the bottom edge

of the park, before they take the smooth curve around to bring them

into the finishing straight. You can see Katie Archibald in the blue of

Scotland right at the back of this leading peloton. She has had an

excellent Commonwealth Games with the bronze medal in the points race.

She has finished in the top five in every race she has taken part in.

This is her fifth event here. We have not mentioned the riders from

Wales either, they have Elinor Barker, Hayley Jones and Amy

Roberts. Here we go, then, almost at the end

of the first lap, Lizzie Armitstead staying out of trouble, right at the

front of the peloton. And the first lap of seven almost under their

wheels. They have got rid of quite a few already. Hannah Barnes riding on

the front, Dani King in the clear glass is right behind her, Emma

Pooley on the left-hand side of the picture -- on the right-hand side of

the picture. 23 minutes and 20 seconds the time for that opening

lap. Riding on the front, Cherise Taylor

for South Africa. -- Cheri Stander. I just wonder whether you expect to

see activity, riders at the front of the race or whether it will be a

steady whittling down process, attritional? I think that will be

the case at the moment. Just getting a feel for the race. Everybody is

always a bit nervous in the opening stages. One lap under their belt,

you can see them visibly backing off a bit. We have removed a lot of

riders from this race. There is, it has to be said, a big variety of

abilities in the Commonwealth Games road race. That also makes the top

riders, the professional riders, nervous, because they can get mixed

in and cause crashes, so they tend to ride strongly in the first couple

of laps, just whittle it down so that they are left with the

experienced people they trust certainly on a circuit like this

with these varied services. A good pace being set here, though. New

Zealand have such a strong team here. Just about the home-based

riders and -- it is not just about the home-based riders. New Zealand,

who have had an excellent Commonwealth Games, very well

represented here. Ashley Buchanan, Emily Collins, Jaime Nielsen. Reta

Trotman. A very solid line-up. A line-up with bags of experience. We

have got a glimpse of Laura Trott. Riding for England, the national

champion. Jasmin Glaesser there, number ten, for Canada, just at the

back of the peloton. Glaesser, with a couple of medals in the World

Championships on the track this year.

Just about to turn right now in the Buchanan Street once again.

Just having a little look to see who that is just in front. Wondering

whether it might be Katie Archibald towards the back of that group. In

the middle of the picture. Interesting strategy, driving near

the back on a circuit like this, but it is quite a small peloton now.

Plenty of room to race for this number of riders. St Vincent Street

coming up next. So there will be the first incline of the second lap now

coming up, which the riders will see laying before them. A little shot of

Belize Olivier from South Africa. A main group of about 40 riders now

as we seen the first attack of the day. The first attack of the race.

It looks to me as if it is Katrin Garfoot, Garfoot who is riding very

well, with that medal in the time trial. She got herself a contract by

the mid-season point with Oracle. The German born Australian. Very

quickly the response comes from New Zealand. An interesting move from

Australia so early in the race, not only -- they don't need to whittle

this field down any more, perhaps just testing the water to see who

would take the opportunity for a bit of daylight, but it was not to be.

Look at all the riders in the red and white of England massed at the

front. Another counterattack this time, Australia trying to go for it

yet again. We said they had strength in depth and they seem to be intent

on using that. Not going to favour any one individual here. Cromwell

has been said to be the strongest of the bunch but I am not sure. Hannah

Barnes is chasing her down. It looks to me as though it might be Katie

Archibald leading the chase as well. It is Archibald in the blue of

Scotland there, third in line. Shara Gillow on the front for Australia.

Sixth in the time trial the other day. You have to admire the

enthusiasm of Archibald, but it is early in the race to get involved in

the chasing. You can see we are not seeing Lizzie Armitstead or

Villumsen or any of the main contenders here getting involved. It

is too early for them. Even if the breakaway were to make it, I don't

think it would be sustainable, this far out from the finish. The attacks

coming thick and fast from Australia. This is the third little

dab of the front we have seen in the last couple of minutes or so. Very

close to the curb on the outside. She's absolutely determined to move

away. They have not stopped, have they? There is a few metres between

them, a little bit of daylight. Cornering very well in these damp

and changeable conditions. Melissa Hoskins, again chased down by Hannah

Barnes. Barnes, sticking to the back wheel straightaway. There is a rider

from South Africa trying to join in as well. Is it Ashleigh Moolman? The

problem is, she will force a breakaway, but her companions don't

necessarily want to ride with her. I believe that the England team orders

are to ride for Lizzie Armitstead. Maybe they will change tactics as

the race dictates. Those three have already got a lead of maybe four

seconds, now. The first goal breakaway group of the race forming,

here. It was animated and instigated by Melissa Hoskins. -- the first

little breakaway. She is really riding hard, here, cornering faster

than the camera motorbike can accelerate on these surfaces. Look

at this, right on the edge. And Hannah Barnes nearly came down,

there. It caused her to lose the wheel. She took the smooth stones

surface of the guttering and it was enough to start a slide. She was

very key to recover. -- very lucky. The riders are heading into the

heart of the West End, on Lap 2. Barnes will be mighty relieved to

have stayed upright, there. Just an University Avenue, and the chase

being led by cash offer, from South Africa, who does not look as though

she will be able to hold the wheel of the other two. -- An-Li

Kachelhoffer. We can see the lead. 79 kilometres remaining, and there

are the leading to but the gap is very small. They will have to work

hard to distance this group. There's a lot of players not represented,

being that there are just too, here. I'm surprised with skins. We mention

at the start that she was a major favourite, and she is clearly on

form, a good, technical rider for a course like this but playing her

cards very early. Still the best part of two hours of racing

remaining. This is the furthest part of the course from Glasgow Green,

you. -- here. Explore matters into the second lap. 14 kilometre laps,

now. Great George Street, and this is where the climb is, another one

of those short, sharp ones, but for all the effort Hoskins is putting

in, Barnes is making sure she does not get away, or if she does, she

will have company. Asked marking the early moves in this race but they

are not really gaining ground on the peloton. It is staying at roughly

three or four seconds. Barnes, having to dig deep, here. Our camera

is shortening the distance, somewhat. She rolled through to the

front wants, which was surprising. But they will be giving no leeway

whatsoever at this early stage of the race. Hoskins desist in, sitting

up a bit at the top of the climb. The race is going to come back

together again, or what is left of it because it is a sizeable

whittling down process already in this first lap and a half.

I don't think that is going to be the last we see of Hoskins. She has

shown what she is capable of. Superb by candling skills we have seen,

two, despite the changeable road surfaces, here. A great descent

where they can really get some speed up, along Gibson Street.

Well over 50 kilometres per hour, on that descent. A little bit further

back, Cherise Stander, for South Africa.

Still on that climb, about 30 seconds or so of the back of the

peloton. She won't be seeing the peloton again, I would not have

thought. 35 riders in the main group. Then we

have got several stragglers, now. A time check at the 21 kilometre mark,

and only 47 riders have been through that. Anna Christian, there are, for

the Isle of Man. Just coming up to the front, the Isle of Man colours

this year, very similar to New Zealand, just the banding on the

sleeves separating them. Isle of Man will be well represented this

afternoon in the men's race, including one of the favourites. I

believe Mark Cavendish is the sporting director for the day,

driving the following car, and I think he might be doing so in the

women's race, as well. Well, the Australian team clearly looking to

animate the race from a long way out, here. This is the fourth attack

we have seen on the second lap. Dani King is charged with policing

matters this time. So, England, the strongest team on paper, seem to be

determined to take control of the race. They are the ones doing all of

the marking. They are using their troops very early, to keep things

under control. Everyone else will have seen that. New Zealand will

happily let them do that, just follow the wheels. Clearly, he is

not driving the car, Mark Cavendish, because he is here. How Mark

Cavendish would have loved to have been in the road race this

afternoon, in the colours of the Isle of Man. If he can't race, he is

still here to help. He will be driving the team car for the mens

rea this afternoon. -- men's race. The riders are taking stock. Emma

Pooley as always ridden close to the front of the race. Is this Katrin

Garfoot once more? They are determined to start a move, in this

race. It is Garfoot. Attacking, well, certainly accelerating off the

front, not for the first time. She is being followed very closely by

Eileen Roe, the recently crowned British circuit race champion, the

24-year-old, from Fife, straight on her wheel. It is a reasonably

comfortable pace for her, too. Dani King, third in line. Like the

English team, the Scots are quite happy to participate in the

breakaway. It looked like Emma Pooley was going

to have a go for a minute there, just popping out to the right. Emma

Pooley and Dani King, up towards the front, keeping an ion things. A

little further back, Stephanie Roorda, from Canada. -- keeping an

eye on things. She is struggling to keep in touch when the pace goes up

at times, hanging off the back and Laura Brown as well, number nine.

More prominent as they track rider, Brown. The latest attack from

Australia, here. You can't help thinking that it is not just getting

a move away, it is the fact that there is no one that wants to work

with you at such an early stage in the race. They are very aggressive,

using their strength in depth, for sure. Right in the centre of the

city again, cutting across Buchanan Street, and Nelson Mandela Place.

And along towards George Square. Still no rain, although there are

grey skies. The clouds look reasonably high. Finger is crossed.

Certainly not the volume we had yesterday. They are still predicting

some showers today, particularly around lunch time. But now finding

life a bit more difficult is Claire Thomas of Scotland.

She has done well to be in the race, actually, Claire Thomas. She

fractured her hip in a race in June. I think she is proud to just

be here. She has been in Ruediger form, the

New Zealand rider, just outside the medals in the time from. Melissa

Hoskins once more and this time, Lizzie Armitstead towards the front,

having a little look. -- she has been in great form.

That is the first time we have seen her today, isn't it? Lizzie

Armitstead, looking confident and untroubled so far. A relief for

her, that she is able to take a place in this road race after

crashing in the last kilometre of the La Course in Paris last weekend.

A conversation going on, deciding tactics. Laura Trott on the front

for England. I thought she would be a good bet today. But we have heard

that everyone is in the service of the Lizzie Armitstead. She looks

very comfortable in third place. She will have had the disadvantage of

having focused on the track, a few short days ago. It is difficult to

switch distances but a punchy rider for a course like this, which is

ideal. And the new British road race champion, meanwhile, a little

further back, Hayley Jones, for Wales. She comes from a famous Welsh

cycling family. Her mother, Louise, won the gold medal for Wales in

Auckland in 1990, one of only two gold medals in cycling in the

Commonwealth Games won by Wales over the years. Louise Jones with one of

them and Nicole Cooke, of course, who won the road race in magister in

2002. -- in Manchester. Louise Jones is a commissar on the race. She will

be watching out for her daughter, possibly anxiously, on these

services. And you mentioned Laura Trott being so good on the track,

and Hayley Jones is also a strong track rider, a world junior champion

in the team pursuit. Laura Trott, on the front. But no decisive move made

yet in the women's road race. Let's talk to Jill Douglas in the

finishing area with Mark Cavendish. Mark is watching the women's race

cleanly. But you also involved with the men's race. How are you doing? I

would like to have had a car but we have got share price -- shared cars

because we only have two riders. Alanna Christian is a good girl on

the domestic scene. There are some good riders here. She is doing well.

We spoke about what to do this morning. She seems to be doing OK.

We will see how far she can get in. Who knows? I think the best thing

about the Isle of Man team is that we are underdogs. It is exciting

just to be here, with people I grew up with. The last time I saw you,

you are getting in the back of an ambulance in Harrogate after that

horrible crash at the beginning of the Tour de France. How are you? I'm

OK. I have been on a bike in the last couple of weeks, training hard

in the week just gone. I still don't know my programme really, yet. But I

will see how strong I am. Obviously, I have put on a bit of weight. I was

in super form for the Tour de France. I have always done the Tour

so I don't know how my form will be at this time of year without doing

it. I don't know what we will do. We will see in the next couple of

weeks. My movement is not fully recovered but not too bad. Lots of

people would have loved to have seen you racing here as well. But it was

not to be. Realistically, when will you be back racing? I am hoping in

the next few weeks. But we will see. Hopefully I will get a good week in

training, and then test my form the week after. It is difficult, because

you know what it is like, I go to a race and I'm expected to win but

that is not realistic. I need to find a race without that pressure,

maybe have my team-mates, to see if they could do some thing and it will

do me good to ride in the mountains. We will see what happens in the next

couple of weeks. I know how much it means for you to represent the Isle

of Man, you have a very strong team here, what are you thought about the

men's road race? There are some strong riders here. But again is an

Isle of Man team, our best thing is that we are the underdogs, we have

such strong guys. Such a small island, we can beat these big

teams. The other home nations have got young riders, but still strong,

especially suited to this type of course, to be fair. But I know we

have the riders. Not course, to be fair. But I know we

collectively that can go out, as course, to be fair. But I know we

did in Delhi, we went out and control the race. OK, ultimately the

Australians won, but it was a great showing. All the riders ride well

together. What is it about the Isle of Man and bike racing? Of course,

famous for motorbikes, the TT of course, but there is a real

tradition of bike racing and some fantastic competitors over the

years. There is nothing else to do there! No, I was over with Peter and

the kids, and she said, she was in a car with Finn, my boy, and she said

even CYP full grow up riding a bike here, it is hilly and windy. It

even CYP full grow up riding a bike like the unofficial national sport

there. Everyone in the UK likes football, but to be fair in the Isle

of Man and you have the motorcycling and the here they come.

When it gets narrow, you should move up the front.

When it gets narrow, On this course, especially with these greasy roads,

it gets really narrow and you use a lot more energy at the back, so it

is actually beneficial to do a little sprint at a corner. Keep out

of trouble. Yes. Looking a bit further ahead, things are other the

air at the moment with the injury and not sure what you are going to

be doing, but when you look at Bradley Wiggins coming back onto the

track, is there a little part of you that wonders whether you should take

the same route? There is, but I don't work for sky. They can't go

back and forwards. That was part of the deal. Can I say BSkyB on BBC?

You have just done it. It is great what they have done for cycling.

They don't just sponsor the sky team, they sponsor British cycling

and it was kind of them to do that. Things did not work out for me at

Sky. Every other team would not be to do what Sky do. I am a

professional bike rider. Ultimately I would like to do that but I am a

professional cyclist. I love my team, winning for my team, and

ultimately my team and the road has to come first. I will let you go,

because I know you have responsibilities here with the Isle

of Man team, but thank you very much, looking forward to seeing you

back on the bike soon. Great to hear Mark Cavendish, but

what a shame that he is not able to take part on the road race here this

afternoon, because he knows this is a course he could do rather well on,

following on from the national championships last year. These are

the clients that Mark Cavendish likes, these short, sharp ones that

are over quickly. -- these are the claims. He knows how to measure his

effort, perhaps starting at the very front -- these are the climbs. As he

said, it is worth spending some power to be in the right position

and then slipped back through the numbers, if necessary. Buchanan

Street has really dried up now, it has made a big difference for the

safety of the riders. It is not guaranteed to stay there but they

will make the most of it when they can. We have a reasonable break

developing here. Yes, two riders breaking away, and you may recognise

the familiar face of Laura Trott there on the Australian's wheel.

This is a course that Mark Cavendish won the national championships on

last year. David Millar looked as though he might get the victory but

Cavendish beat him right at the end. Lizzie Armitstead is well one on

this course and she is keen to get back on it once again. The

Australian rider Charlotte Gillow -- -- Gillow.

There has been quite a bit of looking around there. That is a big

gap now. Laura Trott staying nicely tucked in here on the wheel of Shara

Gillow from Australia. The camera angles shows the distance and

shortening somewhat. It is a reasonable gap. Time for something

else to chase. New Zealand is deciding we are going to block this

out and not do the chasing. It looks like that at the moment. Emily

Collins from New Zealand. It does look as if if anyone is going to

bring it back, it would be Canada at the moment who are being asked to

lead the chase. That would be Leah Kirchmann. And Anna Christian from

the Isle of Man now coming to the front. It will be interesting to see

if Gillow is expecting any help from Laura Trott. Laura Trott is playing

a team role today, supposedly, which I wonder if that will change at all

if this lead becomes established. So far the English riders have been

merely marking, they have not been helping any attacks or any potential

breakaways. Hannah Barnes rolled through once, but I think it was

just a case of just rolling through. They have about ten seconds plus

now. Not much at all time to get organised behind. Heading up towards

Kelvingrove Park again on this third lap of seven. They will be into the

park in the not too distant future. New Zealand have cracked now and

decided to start chasing. Nielsen sitting on the front and doing the

work again, shadowed by the England team. Up to 15 seconds now, the time

gap from the leading two. One rider, which effectively this is

now, Gillow won't get any assistance. As we go to the pits

here, and some reason. Retirees. One or two riders dropping out of the

race here. Wales now down to two. Hayley Jones. She dropped out, just

as the race entered its third lap. Gillow not a stranger to riding

alone, sixth in the individual time trial earlier this week. Gillow

pressing on and doing all of the work here. Laura Trott just happy to

sit on. Here they come now into the park. Jaime Nielsen continues to

ride on the front, Emma Pooley on her wheel. Still two riders in the

race for Wales, three actually, Amy Roberts, Katie Curtis and Elinor

Barker. Into the park now. It has been cut

by a third. Third in her national championship

road race earlier this year. Second in the time trial. A long time ago,

though. The Australian championships are in our winter, so back in

January. That was the curve that almost caught out Hannah Barnes in

the last lap, just off the edge of that fountain. Someone has been out

painting in the middle of the night there in support of David Millar, I

notice. There we are. Great support for David Millar this afternoon in

the men's road race. He won the bronze medal in Delhi four years

ago. The crowd will be out on the streets later on for that one.

Starting to look around now. Surely she is not expecting any assistance

here? What they might be doing, of course, is setting up a staging

post, as it were. So getting one of your team-mates up the road and then

attacking across to it. At a point of the race where it would normally

be too early, but when bridged up with a team-mate, that works well.

Everything being marked closely this time by Lizzie Armitstead up

University Avenue. Armitstead looks very comfortable at this stage. Very

low gear, easy acceleration, staying at the front to ease out the flow

around the corners. Katie Archibald up there for Scotland in the blue. A

great couple of weeks for her, from Glasgow, just from the outskirts of

the city. England marking these breakaways is one of the upside is

to it, it is that they do not have any obligation to do the chasing.

Particularly when it is a rider like Laura Trott, who could win this race

at right. It forced New Zealand to come to the front, which they did,

and immediately New Zealand counterattack. Just along Byres Road

now, right in the heart of the West End, near Hillhead station. Turning

right now in the great George Street. They will go up till now,

this is one of the short, sharp, stinging little climbs that really

take it out of your legs. It just disrupts the rhythm constantly.

Lizzie Armitstead. Ashleigh Moolman there, predominantly in the green.

Interesting that Lizzie Armitstead decided to take on -- Ashleigh

Pasio. She has split the group. In a few

metres of starting that climb, she has got it down to a group of five.

Clearly the English team has done well to crown her the leader and put

everybody in her service today because she looks in superb form.

She really does. Laura Trott is going well as well in the early

stages here. She has replaced Armitstead is the national road race

champion. Ashleigh Moolman on the front of your picture, yet another

attack from the Australian team, who are expending a fair bit of energy

here in the opening three laps of this race. You can see how fast it

is taking over from 30 kph climbing to the 60 kph downhill. All the time

just stretching the peloton. I feel sure it will not be a bunch sprint

finish, not on a circuit like this. Possibly for the men's race as well.

It is just ideal for creating these breakaway opportunities. For the

first time, that little breakaway attempt not immediately chased down,

although England do have three riders on the front of the peloton.

It is Emma Pooley at the moment who is bringing everybody back up to our

leader. And doing so very quickly indeed. The whole group now lined

out, and probably less than 25 riders just stringing out. This is

the picture that we are going to see throughout the day, just small gaps

appearing, less and less riders able to get back on terms after each of

these accelerations. Emma Pooley deciding to drive it here. Just on

Park quadrant now. The race momentarily almost doubling back on

itself. Armitstead in second place. Anna Christian still well-placed,

fifth in line. A small gap there, and Emma Pooley has decided to see

if she can force... Archibald just trying to get across

if she can force... Archibald just trying to in the blue now, just

turning left, she sensed the danger of that. There is only a second or

so between them but Emma Pooley decided to keep the pressure on, if

they could keep a gap all the way down there with some of the

favourites pinned in place, because of all the corners, then they may

choose to try and press this advantage.

Pooley is really piling it on at the moment, and it is causing a split.

They have made it look relatively easy to do, just sit on the front

and apply the pressure, but going through these corners, small gaps

can quickly be exacerbated, and as the riders look around, they just

take the pressure off the pedals to see if anyone is going to help them,

suddenly the gaps appear, and with the corners constantly coming, then

it just grows very, very quickly. They have decided to push this on.

There is a lot of their biggest opposition not represented here. If

you can get the Montreux Street and that big climb, then they could

really dry this one home. For the first time, the race is really on,

but those with Armitstead and Pooley on the front, that is why Katie

Archibald is busting a gut to try and get with it and make sure does

not get away. Only a third of the into this race. They have decided

there is an opportunity here to make this race, live. Armitstead is

looking back, she has decided to drop a bit further back so she can

keep an eye on everybody. Pooley charged with keeping the pressure

on. If they can get the Montreux Street, a short, sharp climb, the

shortest of the entire race. Tiffany Cromwell, the last time we have seen

her. -- first time. A little kick up Montrose Street,

her. -- first time. A little kick up coming up a bit later on. Not

far-away now, that is the shore. This is Blythswood Street. The next

one will be Montrose Street. Just a very brief incline. And now a fast

run into the city. There is Katie Archibald. Right on her wheel,

there, Amy Roberts of Wales. Look at the distance now with this

group. They have probably got a minute of riding to get back down

this descent. Then towards the bottom of Montrose Street. Nelson

Mandela Place, heading across Buchanan Street, to George Square.

They are going to try to set up for the climb, now. I don't think we

will see an outright attack but we will see a forcing of the pace. It

is Emma Pooley who is perfectly made for doing a job like this, driving

the pace. Lizzie Armitstead will sit on the wheel. Great use of the

troops, here. You can see Anna Christian, the Isle of Man

representative as well, up there, amongst this eight rider leading

group. Barnes helping doing some pace setting as well, now. This

group has slowly swelled in numbers. But I still feel that England have

created a group from which they can win. We have Hannah Barnes, Emma

Pooley, Lizzie Armitstead Ashleigh Moolman from South Africa, Tiffany

Cromwell of Australia, Amy Roberts, Archibald and Christian. But it is

growing all the time, coming back together. I think all the favourites

have really pushed on, there, sensed the danger, used the descent to get

back across. Archibald knew straight away. She was very quickly on to it.

I rode up that climb yesterday, and I can tell you, as you can see, it

is not easy. It looked like Lizzie Armitstead was on a different road

to everyone else. This is Reta Trotman of New Zealand. That gives

you some indication, when you look at the speed, of the climb, which

she will be glad is now under her wheels. I think we are looking at

the back of the field, now. That is Charline Joiner on the back. We saw

her on the track last week. Emma Pooley on the right and Archibald is

having to do a lot of chasing to stay up with the pace. She is using

up a lot of energy at the moment. Clever tactics by England, using

their strength in numbers to force their opponents to do all the work.

Strong competitors, though, the Australian team. They can use any

one of their number, here, to try to take the title. It is going to be a

battle of wills between Australia and England. It certainly looks that

way in this race. England are coming out tactically the smartest of the

group, as they come down Rottenrow, drying out nicely. Not as rotten as

it might have been, had the heavens opened this morning. I think that is

it, now, they have decided that this is not going to work and there is no

point in spending too much energy. The combination is not right. They

will use the descent to have a drink, and regroup. They have got

some daylight, there, but not enough to make it stick. It was a good move

but if they persisted with it, they would be expending energy

needlessly. They are going to let this one glow. -- let this one go.

Blahs go green, in the top left of the picture, which is where the

riders are heading. -- Glasgow Green.

This is where you have an opportunity for one of the smaller

nations to have a go, or one of the lesser favourites, shall we say. It

was Linda Villumsen, in the Black of New Zealand, who won the time trial,

the first time we have seen her at the front, today. I think it is too

early for her should be -- for her to be having a go. She should be

following the moves we have just seen and waiting until later. It is

a great opportunity for one of the Welsh riders, perhaps, to see what

they can do, while England and Australia and New Zealand all watch

each other. Gemma Neill, just off the back, 12th in the national

championships, recently. Emma Pooley on the right of the picture. Amy

Roberts up there in the centre. About fourth in line. We have nearly

had three of the seven laps in the women's road race. And another

attack coming from Australia. In front of the People's Palace,

there. A beautiful building. A lot of beautiful buildings around blahs

go that we have seen. Heading down to the banks of the Clyde, now.

Hannah Barnes with the blue on the crash hat. Amy Roberts, still

prominent for Wales. Along the river, now. Then the final turn into

the finishing straight. Back out of the park. We are heading now to what

already looks to be a very select group in terms of the race as a

whole. It is incredible, we are nearly at the halfway stage of the

race. It has gone so quickly. You can't help but notice that for

all of the attacks we have had from Australian rider so far, we have not

seen anything from Gracie Elvin, the national champion. She is keeping

her powder dry until the latter stages, maybe. Coming into the

finishing straight, now, at the end of the third lap. Emma Pooley, Linda

Villumsen, in the back of New Zealand, up to the front and Lizzie

Armitstead right up alongside her. Anna Christian, on the left-hand

side, also in black, and the Isle of Man kit is very similar to New

Zealand but they have yellow and red trim on their sleeves and their

shorts. A drink for Emma Pooley. And Lucy Garner, on the left for England

as well, with Dani King on her wheel. Amy Roberts in the centre, in

the red shorts, for Wales. And Anna Christian, leaving -- leading them

over the line this time. Just 19 riders in the lead group,

represented. Hoskins, Linda Villumsen, Trott, of course, Tiffany

Cromwell, Lizzie Armitstead, Lucy Garner, just picking up some of the

key names, here. Gracie Elvin is in there. Nielsen, for New Zealand, and

Reta Trotman. Most of those who we would expect to see are still very

much involved in the thick of this race. Archibald is still well in the

thick of it, here. She has got Annie Ewing, who might get back in touch.

She is just ten seconds adrift. As we see another attack, here. It

looks like Linda Villumsen of New Zealand. Setting herself up for the

corner. It is very early for her to be attacking. A lone attack means

that she will struggle with so much team representation from England and

New Zealand behind. I do think this is a smart move. -- I don't think.

So far, Australia and England have been doing all the work and the

countering. Maybe from their perspective, it was not a bad

thing, when you consider the numbers they have as well, New Zealand. For

much of the race, they would be quite content to let everyone else

go for it. Up until about ten climate to go, 15 kilometres, -- ten

kilometres, 15 kilometres to go, she should be letting the other teams

whittle down the numbers they have already.

whittle down the numbers they have heading into the pedestrianised

area. It is a little chicane. And then the right-hand turn into

Buchanan Street. She is persisting with this three

second advantage that she has, here. A little bit of discussion behind.

They will probably give her another second or two while they work out

who is going to chase. Everything is being left to England at the moment.

I'm sure at some stage, they will look round and say to the

Australians, "you have just as much to lose, you should be helping us".

England do the chasing and the instant they bring Linda Villumsen

back, there will be counterattacks, and they need to be very careful

that they don't find themselves on the back foot. England are still

very well represented towards the front of the group. On the back

foot. England are still very well represented towards the front of the

group. Onto St Vincent Street. Linda Villumsen looks comfortable.

She's just stretching this lead out, isn't she? Behind, you can see it

surging. She needs to get enough of isn't she? Behind, you can see it

surging. a gap to be able to yo-yo behind between driving and stopping.

But Emma Pooley has decided to get it done. They don't want to sit

there, grinding away. They want to close the gap when it hurts everyone

else as well, so they can't just counter attack. A smart move,

there, riding a tempo until you get a drag and then they closed the

gap. Linda Villumsen has certainly strung them out. And it was not a

full out effort from her, either. A big day for Emma Pooley. It is her

last major by grace, having announced her retirement. She has

been a shining light for British women's cycling in recent years, a

world champion and an Olympic medallist and they consistently

strong performer. Not just in cycling, of course. She did a

marathon as well. I think she will concentrate on that. As an athlete,

her career is not finished. She is ending her international cycling

career but we will see her in the triathlon and the marathon,

endurance sports, where she still has plenty to do. They are just

closing this gap. An enormous amount of damage yet again, really

stringing out this group. The riders unable to hold the wheel. Emma

Pooley will certainly be missed in cycling circles. She has a very

specific talent, and has made the most of her limited stature, not

just in climbing hills but also aerodynamically, she is very small,

and as we saw earlier this week, she is strong in the time trial. Only

bested by Linda Villumsen. Lizzie Armitstead, just marking the

move. So, the leading riders are all still

together at the moment. Jill Douglas is that the finish line.

I'm alongside the president of Scottish cycling, and significantly,

the course designer, where we are watching both the races today. When

you put the course together, what was in your mind? There were a

number of challenges, Jill. We had certain constraints placed upon us

by the logistics around the rest of the games, various venues, games

lanes, and then the Greater Glasgow marketing bureau wanted to showcase

as much of the nice part of the city, and many of the iconic

buildings within the city as we could possibly accommodate within

the circuit, which has do have UCI guidelines. It was a long and

conflict and demanding process but we got there in the end. How would

you describe the course? It is punchy in places and quite

technical. It is a tricky course because any city course, especially

one like Glasgow, built on a grid system, means there will always be

corners and right-hand turns. We tried to get a nice mix, with

short, sharp climbs, some long drags, a nice, flat finish into the

park. We have got a pretty mixed all-round circuit. Who do you think

that all-round bike rider might be, both in the women's race and later

this afternoon in the men's race? Could be any Australian, English or

New Zealander, to be asked with you. No, I could not pick a winner, to be

honest with you! You would love to see Katie Archibald in the mix come

the end of this? Yes, she is in the mix. She is up against, obviously,

because there are quite a number of English and Aussies and Kiwis still

left but at least she is there. And a quick word on David Millar this

afternoon? He is in our Kaboul form, happy with his condition, quietly

optimistic, and of course he has the good old head on him which helps. --

remarkable form. Up by Glasgow University, heading to the heart of

the West End. It cuts right through the centre of the campus of the

university, they have come out at Kelvingrove Park. Emily Collins on

the far side of the road. Straight away, Emma Pooley is right near her,

Ashleigh Moolman as well on the New Zealander's wheel. A bit of a debate

going on involving Melissa Hoskins. Just on the back of the peloton. She

does not look overly happily about something. New Zealand very well

represented as you would expect it misleading group of riders. There is

Lizzie Armitstead in the centre. On this nearside, the right-hand side

of your picture on the front of the race now, Lucy Garner, the two-time

former world junior champion on the road. She rides for giant Shema know

now. There was some conversation in the

England team ranks. Trying to set something up to prevent the attacks.

Katie Archibald the on the back of the peloton at the moment. This is

the climb on great George Street. Garner on the front. Armitstead.

Remember this is the last time they went up, every time she has gone up

it so far, she has looked very comfortable. Has been able to open

up gaps almost at will. Just a show of strength. Maybe there has been a

decision here to try and split up this race. They showed it was

possible on the previous lap. It is a strong pace but it is not

disruptive. This group has swelled in numbers somewhat now. 21 riders

going through our last check together. To have that swift descent

of Gibson Street coming up shortly. This is where the motorbike

cameraman needs to make sure he gets a move on. It switches so quickly on

this course. Four of them are no less in the first abide. Trying to

work out who the Australian rider is at the front, whether it is Chloe

Hosking. They are just heading into the pits,

having decided she has had enough for today, Katie Curtis there to

Wales, the latest retiree, the former British junior champion.

Seventh in the scratch race this year. Curtis now disappearing into

the pits, as the riders headed towards Park Quadrant and Park

Circus once more. That is Leah Kirchmann from Canada, she created a

little bit of Canadian cycling history this year, she won all three

of the National titles available on the road. Crashed in the time trial

on Thursday though, you can see the remnants of that crash, one or two

plasters on her right leg. She bashed her hip as well. This is

Hannah Barnes for England. We have had 14 retirees confirmed already in

this race so far. Katrin Garfoot is the most disappointing for

Australia. Of the riders we are expecting at the front, Katrin

Garfoot the only one of them to have dropped out. Barnes on the fried

them, Kirchmann of Canada in second place. -- Barnes on the right then.

Just over half distance in the race now. From those first 21, the gap is

nearly one and a half minutes back to the next riders on the road. So I

think we can safely say that is the group that will contest the finish.

Certainly as England are pushing the pace here, not giving anyone a

chance to regroup. Emily Collins on the back for New Zealand. Katie

Archibald for Scotland. Hannah Barnes continues on the front, head

of Kirchmann and Pooley. I'm not really sure what the tactics are

here. They seem to be telling all the riders around with no real gain

in place. I was expecting some sort of attack to come but it doesn't

seem to be the case. Maybe it is just trying to discourage attacks, I

don't know. Amy Roberts nearly towards the front of the group, from

Wales. Certainly in select company here. Absolutely, a really good ride

here from Amy Roberts, the 18-year-old. Also a really good ride

from Anna Christian, as well, from the Isle of Man. Another one of the

teenagers in this race. Barnes, Kirchmann. There is Roberts just

going through the picture. Shara Gillow. That was Melissa Hoskins,

number seven, we were just seeing. It really is a very different field

to the one that took start today. Not many riders left at all now.

Just 21 of them in contention. And still a long way to go to the

finish. Lots of conversations happening at the back there. That is

Lizzie Armitstead. I think she was talking to one of the Welsh girls

there, so maybe some collaboration between the teams?

A lot of these riders ride in the same professional team, although

they are in different jerseys today. Four riders from Australia in this

front group, very well represented. Emily Collins now for New Zealand. I

am not entirely sure what all the riding was for the last few minutes

for the England team, but New Zealand decided they had had enough

of it. Collins takes off and forces a chase.

Emily Collins, just 23, she won a big women's race last season, one of

the early classic races in the women's calendar.

Here they come, hurtling now into the heart of the city and Nelson

Mandela Place once more. Collins on the front and really

stringing them out here towards George Square.

Just breaking up a little bit behind. This is also a potential

tactic for the team, rather than attacking, just leaving gaps to

force their opponents to have to close them down. Roberts riding very

strongly for Wales here. Here is Armitstead coming to the front, as

the road starts to go uphill again. Straight onto her wheel is Tiffany

Cromwell from Australia. Jaime Nielsen there towards the back

of that group. Barnes struggling a little bit

there. Going to make it over the top. That is the thing about these

short terms, -- short climbs, if you dig deep, it is possible to stay in

contact. Going over the top of the climb. Certainly a lot of talking

going on in this group at the moment, everybody looking around and

waiting for somebody to spark it. Yet another attack but half-hearted.

Emma Pooley very quick to react to that one from Shara Gillow. Just

trying it on there to see if she can be allowed to roll away. Ashleigh

Moolman still up there for South Africa. Lizzie Armitstead looks a

little bit frustrated there, perhaps she wants... I really don't know.

There is not really anything in there for any of them to ride at the

moment. Anna Christian soon we can see in those first ten riders also

in the peloton, from the Isle of Man.

in the peloton, from the Isle of power fade road before the

right-hand turn. They will swoop back down into the

city along the high street here. Archibald in the blue. Scotland

still represented here in the race. Number 16 just taking a drink in the

red and white, and throwing the bottle away, Lucy Garner. Hannah

Barnes just in front of her, ringing up the rear there, Jaime Nielsen for

New Zealand. She has had a good games, fifth in the individual

pursuit, but a big ask for Jaime Nielsen to get among the medals here

perhaps in the closing laps of this race. Some riders are perfectly

content not to finish. That was Claire Fraser-Green. She has enjoyed

her day out. Meanwhile, back at the front of the race, Dani King for

England. She does not look as if she is enjoying it quite as much as

those two. Not that the rain for King. Fantastic track rider and very

powerful. Very much playing a team role today. England have ridden well

as a team so far in this race. Back into the finishing area once more, a

lack of Glasgow Green, pass the People's Palace and then down along

the banks of the River Clyde before the finishing line itself. On the

front there, Emily Collins, I think, for New Zealand. Right behind her,

Tiffany Cromwell. Emma Pooley, Leah Kirchmann. Kirchmann actually rode

well in Paris last weekend, that first women's race at the end of the

Tour de France there on the Champs-Elysees, she was outsprinted

by the world champion, Marianna Vos. There is Emily Collins, she has the

orange on her crash hat. Emma Pooley there in third place.

Lizzie Armitstead about fifth in line, with Dani King right behind

her. Armitstead with time to have a good look round, just to check who

is still there. this women's race, as Lucy Garner

takes it up. Garner, Pooley and Barnes.

The first real lull in the action that we have seen in the race today.

We are a couple of hours in, and that is when the legs start to get

sore. People start thinking about measuring their efforts a little bit

more. New Zealand are still well represented, aren't they? They have

got a good team, Chris, they are really strong. An hour and a half in

the saddle, now. A rider's eye view of the finishing

line. They have really slow down, haven't they? There is a possibility

of some of the riders coming back to join them. The average speed in the

race so far, 37 kilometres per hour. They're rather the 21 riders. --

there are the 21 riders. Six in this riders, here. -- six English riders,

here, still remaining. Well, the winner is going to come

from this group, that is the shore. Four Australian riders, and four

from New Zealand as well, I think. Emily Collins, just animating the

race a bit on the front once again, as she did on the last lap. Four

down, three to go, now. The representative from Canada, Leah

Kirchmann. Amy Roberts from Wales, too. As we have mentioned, Katie

Archibald. Those individuals are going to have do and hide in the

wheels, don't get too far forward, don't get involved in any chasing.

The responsibility is not theirs but there may prove to be an

opportunity, very late in the race, as the favourites watch each other.

Ashleigh Moolman and Ashleigh Pasio, there, another ride on her own. Onto

Argyle Street. -- another rider. A little bit of a problem for Melissa

Hoskins. I don't know if she has got an issue

or she just wants to talk to the team car. Anna Christian, the lone

representative from the Isle of Man. She was 14th in the time trial. A

strong rider. In fact, she was 14th in the national championships as

well. Consistent. A tactical discussion? Not for the first time,

she was involved in a chat with the team car on the last lap as well,

over in the West End, Melissa Hoskins. But now she is back up with

her team-mates and the discussion continues. Maybe they are moving to

plan B. They tried very hard in the early stages of the race to force a

breakaway. They are largely responsible for this group being the

size that it is. As we speak, varies some more attacking from one of the

Australians, although I can't see who it is, as they turn onto

Buchanan Street. That was not to be. Whoever it is that takes the

tactical decision, here, it is going to take a lot of firepower to split

up this group. It is a manageable size, with good, well skilled bike

riders. There will be a few of them in that group, looking around

thinking that there are rather too many riders here for their liking,

come the end of the race. I wonder whether the best place to attack is

not necessarily the climbs but just over the top, as everybody is lined

up and penned in place? That is the place to attack. For me, they would

be the tactics to play out. But you also need some support as well. You

need to take at least one representative from one of the other

major teams, to stop yourself being chased down again. That is where the

decisive move will really be hammered home, though, isn't it? As

sharp as those climbs are, they are quite short and there's only so much

power you can generate on them and only so much of an advantage you can

gain before the road levels out again for a while. Emma Pooley,

here. We have got a very tight camera angle but I think this might

be an attack. Linda Villumsen saw it coming straight away and Lizzie

Armitstead in third place. The crowds are starting to gather here,

for the last three laps of the women's race. Emma Pooley on the

front, with Linda Villumsen and Armitstead. They are heading up St

Vincent Street, moving away from the city centre, and clinging onto the

back of the group is Nielsen. Katie Archibald towards the back of it as

well. There is the gap. A significant gap already, four or

five seconds. The England riders remaining in the rear are not going

to help with the chasing. Australia are represented, but not in force.

England have got their two main players, here. This is the big issue

for everyone else, they'll know Lizzie Armitstead is in this group.

But because you have representation for the major nations, as we were

saying, there will be some hesitation. To get back on terms,

you have to chase down your own team-mates. New Zealand have got

Linda Villumsen in the group. We cannot see who the Australian rider

is. Ashleigh Moolman is in the group on the back. Archibald is driving

across. She has decided she wants a medal, does not want to say that she

has run it. There might only be one of her but no one else is going to

close the gap. She may spoil be set up for the England team. They will

be delighted with the make-up of the breakaway, strong enough to succeed

but not overdoing it. Tiffany Cromwell from Australia joining the

group. It really is an elite, select a little group. Katie Archibald

doing her best to drag everybody else back up towards it. Armitstead,

still looking comfortable. The gap remains at five or six seconds.

Katie Archibald might want to get across but she can only take so much

on her own. But she is about to join them, as they make the right hand

turn. She is taking won the rider with her, by the look of it. That is

a courageous move. -- one other rider. She knew she only had seconds

to get in touch because nobody else was going to chase it. It is slowly

pulling away. That is one of the great things about Katie Archibald.

She has only been seriously racing for a couple of years, still only 20

years old, but as Lizzie Armitstead wishes that the motorbike cameraman

would get a move on and stay out of the way, Archibald is a real racer.

She may not always win the races she takes part in but you will always

know she has been in them. She never turns up and rolls around. She is

bridging the gap and bringing Gracie Elvin with her. A dangerous rival,

sitting on her wheel, Gracie Elvin, the Australian national champion. It

means Gracie Elvin has got a free ride across. It has cost Katie

Archibald a lot of energy but she has managed to get across. We

noticed Lizzie Armitstead waving the motorbike away. I have been watching

and they have been getting very close to the races, which is great

for the images but there's a lot of shelter to be gained behind one of

these motorbikes, and they are starting to interfere with the

racing. It is OK at the moment for Lizzie Armitstead. It is working in

her favour. But should a rival get away and get this much attention, it

could become difficult. To English riders and two Australians in this

breakaway group. -- two English. One each for New Zealand, South Africa

and Scotland. What a team-mate to have at your disposal, Emma Pooley,

to be able to drive on the front for you. She is clearly committed to

working for Lizzie Armitstead. And you know, the gap is growing

massively, now. They are heading up University Avenue. Every time they

come to a short climb, I think they are going to pull away even more,

with Emmy Poole -- Emma Pooley doing the driving. Archibald, digging

deep. Look at the faces of these riders. They looked like they are in

different races. Emma Pooley, doing a workmanlike job on the front and

Lizzie Armitstead out on a training ride, and Katie Archibald with a 500

metres to go effort. It is a great group and Ashleigh Moolman from

South Africa as well, worth watching, she was 12 in the World

Championship a couple of years ago, so she can hang around at the

business end of very tough road races. I would say there is about 14

seconds to the peloton, now. Emma Pooley is doing all of the work on

the front. None of the others are going to help, now.

That was a good guess, 14 seconds, I'm quite proud of that. The riders

are at the furthest point of because from the finishing area, now, on the

Byers Road, up towards Hillhead station. When they make a right-hand

turn into great George Street, there will be six -- they will be six

kilometres into the latest lap. Six of the 14 kilometre lap completed.

There will be two more laps to go, next time over the line. And Emma

Pooley is still doing more than the lion 's share of the work on the

front of the breakaway. Loving all these small climbs, every time she

gets one, she is in territory she is comfortable with, driving the group

forward, forcing it away. I would like to see a camera on the back

group. It will be interesting to know who is doing the chasing. For

it to stay at 14 seconds, somebody is trying to pull the group along.

Not desperately clear, at the moment. About half of that group,

well, most of the second group will not be terribly interested because

of them for New Zealand and it looks like there are quite a from England

as well. With Linda Villumsen and Armitstead and Pooley in the front

group... It looks like it is New Zealand and Australia who are

pushing the pace, and deciding perhaps that the make-up is not

right, you. -- here. They don't have the volume at the front they would

like, they have got the quality but not the volume and England have too

much of an upper hand. The riders at the front are committed now. They

have left a long time to make a decision which needed to be made

instantly. Katie Archibald made an instant decision, she knew it was

all on her, she had to close them down and it needed to be done

straightaway. That is the thing about Archibald. She has got a nose

for the race. Fortunately for her, she has the legs to go with it, to

make it happen. Interesting little move, the pace had slowed slightly,

and Emma Pooley, now they have made the breakaway, is inviting the

others to contribute if they want to be in it. She was allowed to get a

gap and the second Australian looked at Lizzie Armitstead and said, "if

you want to be on her wheels, you have to close". This is getting very

tactical. It could form the beginning of the end for the

breakaway if they don't start to work together. Emma Pooley can force

the gap but surely she is not capable of taking it all the way to

the finish? The leading group, here, with Emma Pooley driving on at

the front. Gracie Elvin in the partly blue crash at four

Australia, with Lizzie Armitstead and Tiffany Cromwell, the other

Australian, and Linda Villumsen, the gold-medal strong the time trial on

Thursday on the back of the group and Katie Archibald at the tail end

of the group, full Scotland. We will have do see how this works out.

Really, Australia are well represented, certainly in numbers.

They should start to help with some of the pacemaking. But nobody is

helping Emma Pooley, here. All five riders... A little gap opening up.

We could see that coming thick Katie Archibald. She dug deep and road

courageously with this group but she is really finding the pace hard

going. Let's hope she can stick in their aerobic longer. -- in their a

bit longer. There is a dissent coming out but I think Archibald had

to dip into the red for a while to bridge the gap. There is Leah

Kirchmann from Canada. She could still be a major player in this

race, potentially. This is the right move at the wrong

time. She is certainly not going to close the gap on her own. She needs

some help. You can see Amy Roberts of Wales, about four thin line in

the chasing pack. Meanwhile, back with the leaders. -- fourth in line.

That is a feral chunk of time. Behind, we have seen surges but not

a consistent effort, and that is what Emma Pooley is laying down. It

is a big sacrifice because it means Lizzie Armitstead will have to mark

the other riders on her own. Emma Pooley cannot do both. Pretty soon,

she is going to have to start easing up and saving some energy, to do

some of the policing as well. This move IB starting to work against

them now. They can't get people to share the workload. Lizzie

Armitstead could find herself very quickly isolated.

Here's the chase group, with Canada leading the way. And we are back

with the leaders here, the usual scenario, Emma Pooley on the front.

Katie Archibald. She has just been trying to take some food on board in

the last few minutes, just to replenish those energy reserves. On

Blythswood Street at the moment, they will have a descent into the

heart of the city, a look over the shoulder from MER instead -- from

Lizzie Armitstead. Motivated by recent misses, silver medallist four

years ago in the road race, outsprinted by Richelle Gilmour from

Australia at the end up to the line in Delhi. Silver medal at the

Olympic Games two years ago. A street cleaner out. Not quite the

right time for that, I wouldn't have thought. Katie Archibald still in

touch here. It is clearly not a done deal, this

breakaway. Possibly coming to the front to enjoy taking the line

coming into Nelson Mandela Place. Interesting to note the city

gradually coming to life, as the morning wears on. That is one of the

benefits of a city centre circuit, even at this early hour of the

morning. Plenty have come out to enjoy the action. Emma Pooley

driving on. I guess, as they are about to come up to Montrose Street,

a short climb that she will enjoy. Perhaps we will see the first real

breakaway attempt. This really is Emma Pooley territory. The rider on

the centre is Tiffany Cromwell in the white out. Lizzie Armitstead,

one of the favourites for the gold medal, riding strongly throughout

this race without having to do too much. Emma Pooley wisely letting it

slip back, letting slip, measuring her efforts so she is still in touch

with the group but maybe three seconds slower over that line than

all the others. Clever riding there. Katie Archibald just staying

in touch. This is exactly what Emma Pooley needed to do, she needs to

get out away from the front but not be as visible, so the other riders

feel some kind of obligation to do some of the pacemaking. Leah

Kirchmann in the blue of Canada. Anna Christian from the Isle of

Man. Certainly some power being applied here to try and close this

gap. New Zealand are not happy with the make-up the group in front. If

somebody does not attack from this front group soon, as we see and

Pooley do just that, then I don't think it will stay away. It looked

as if Rita Trotman from New Zealand was doing a turn on that front

group. Really digging in. Now it is Emma Pooley once more. Into

Rottenrow here, the cobbled section. It is Gracie Elvin, I think, which

has tried to bridge the little gap that has opened up for Emma Pooley.

It has opened up, this is another form of teamwork of course, force

your opponents to have to chase, and she has done just that. She has a

three to four second gap, this means that Lizzie Armitstead can sit back

on the wheels and watch everybody else have to do the work, but I

think it is Katie Archibald was actually doing the chasing again. It

is not for her to do that. She doesn't have to take on that

responsibility. She has done an awful lot of work in this race,

Katie Archibald. It is playing very much into the hands of New Zealand

and Australia, if she does that. This gap is going to get quickly

closed, I think. Neither of the front to really want to be there,

they are just trying to force a move. Just on the back of the lead

group, we have not mention her for a while, Linda Villumsen, fifth in the

Olympic Games road race and the gold medallist in the time trial on

Thursday. She is the one who pipped Emma Pooley to the gold medal by six

seconds. There she is, the silver medallist, from the other day.

Looking to end her cycling career in a blaze of glory, really animating

this race, Emma Pooley. Why Katie Archibald is doing the chasing at

this race I don't know, when she is outnumbered here. It is not for her

to do the chasing. She has an opportunity to sit in the wheels and

let the others tire themselves out. She has thus far courageously stayed

in touch. Now she is struggling to stay on the wheel. Hats some

youthful exuberance there. -- perhaps some youthful exuberance.

Villumsen just staying out of sight so when the riders look around they

are not looking at her to do any chasing. Sure enough, it is coming

back together now. Pooley on the front for England, Gracie Elvin, the

National Champion of Australia, right on her wheel. As you say,

Chris, they are all coming back together again. It was not a

committed attack really, was it? Trying to force the teamwork, but

Katie Archibald relieved them of that responsibility. So Elvin,

Pooley, Pasio the first three riders. Armitstead responding to

that straightaway. That is real tactical thinking there, no

hesitation, no looking around to see who will chase, and suddenly

Villumsen, who has been hanging off the back, she too is animated,

straight onto the wheel of Armitstead. We can see with Linda

Villumsen very much bluffing there. And Armitstead very quick to respond

to that attack from Tiffany Cromwell. Tactical thinking. You can

see, wait and wait all day, use up the team-mates but know instantly