American Faulkner wins road race with late attack

Kristen Faulkner became the first American winner of the Olympic women's road race in 40 years with a late solo attack in Paris.

A disbelieving Faulkner crossed the line 58 seconds ahead of 2012 champion Marianne Vos of the Netherlands, who edged out Belgian world champion Lotte Kopecky for silver in a photo finish.

Not since Connie Carpenter at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, the year the women's road race was added to the Olympic programme, has an American triumphed in the event.

Pfeiffer Georgi in fifth was the highest-placed Brit, with London silver medallist Lizzie Deignan - at her fourth Olympics - and Anna Henderson 12th and 13th respectively.

With little more than 3km to go, US champion Faulkner and Kopecky trailed Vos and Hungarian Blanka Vas, but as they caught the leading duo, Faulkner launched her solo attack.

Vos, Vas and Kopecky did not have the energy to chase, and without looking back, 31-year-old Faulkner pushed all the way to the Trocadero finish line, the Eiffel Tower the backdrop to her greatest moment.

Faulkner will also race on the track at these Olympics, competing in the team pursuit for which qualifying starts on Tuesday.

More to follow.