Brilliant bronze for Dennis after Rio heartache

Australia's medal bonanza continued contiguous with roadworthy cyclist Rohan Dennis winning bronze successful the idiosyncratic clip proceedings to headdress 1 of the biggest one-day medal hauls successful the country's Olympic history.

The two-time satellite champion produced a superb ride, clocking a clip of 56:08.09 implicit the 44.2km people that included the unsocial decorativeness astir the Fuji International Speedway.

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Rohan Dennis of Australia poses with his bronze medal. (Getty)

Slovenian Primoz Roglic comfortably claimed the golden medal with a phenomenal velocity blitz, powering to a clip of 55:04.19 - a infinitesimal faster than Dutchman Tom Dumoulin successful second.

Dennis was lone 2.51s down Dumoulin.

Less than 3 seconds separated Dumoulin and Stefan Kueng successful fourth.

The different Aussie successful the race, Richie Porte, finished a disappointing 27th, and aft his tally announced that adjacent twelvemonth would beryllium his past successful pro cycling.

The 7 medals from Australia contiguous - 3 golds and 4 bronze - means that time 5 successful Tokyo volition spell down arsenic 1 of the astir palmy days successful Australian Olympic history.

Rohan Dennis of Australia rides during the idiosyncratic clip proceedings astatine Fuji International Speedway. (Getty)

For the 31-year-old Dennis, his bronze occurrence justified his determination to skip past weekend's roadworthy contention successful Tokyo.

He prioritised the idiosyncratic clip proceedings - his favored lawsuit and the 1 successful which helium won satellite titles successful 2018 and 2019 - arsenic helium sought for redemption from Rio 5 years agone erstwhile a motorcycle malfunction outgo him dearly.

Dennis was connected the mode to a apt metallic medal erstwhile his aerobars snapped and helium slipped to fifth.

Porte, meanwhile, made nary excuses and whitethorn person been dense successful the legs aft helium competed successful the 234km roadworthy contention past Saturday.

"Probably the worst thrust I person had successful a agelong time," helium said aft coming successful adjacent to six minutes down Roglic.

"Such a hard course. But... nary excuses. This one's connected me. Just wasn't up to it.

"It hasn't been a large Games, but it's inactive amended than being successful infirmary similar I was successful Rio aft the roadworthy race. Next twelvemonth is it for me."

Earlier contiguous successful the women's clip trial, Australian Grace Brown finished 4th - conscionable 7 seconds from bronze medallist Anna van der Breggen - portion compatriot Sarah Gigante was 11th.

Dutchwoman Annemiek van Vleuten claimed golden and Marlen Ruesser silver.

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