Build-up may count against British hope Armitstead

No British athlete has come under more scrutiny in the lead up to the Games than Lizzie Armitstead.

The Otley-born world champion was seen as one of Team GB’s best gold medal prospects at Rio after sweeping all before her on the road in the last 18 months but the revelation of the 27-year-old’s three missed drugs tests has rocked the cycling fraternity and Armitstead is only able to line up this afternoon after successfully appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this week.

An on-song Armitstead would be a justifiable favourite to go one better than in London four years ago when she finished runner-up to Dutch ace Marianna Vos on The Mall.