Hammond cramps, questions team's tactics

By Shane Stokes in Madrid

Great Britain team leader Roger Hammond had gone into the men's road race hoping to fight it out for a medal but finished in the second group, crossing the line in 41st position. "It was really hard race," he said. "The weather is really hard here. Last year, when I was in Athens, it felt easier than these conditions here. I don't know what it is, it just felt hotter today. I had no problem with cramping in Athens but today I had it, it was just really hot."

Continued Hammond: "The course worked out hard. The problem is that when there is a proper climb, everybody waits until late on in the race, but when there is a climb like that, not really a big one, everything starts six or seven laps out. It was very technical between the climbs, too."

The Great Britain team were one of those driving the pace early on, limiting the gains of the four man move which was up the road. Cyclingnews asked Hammond about this, and was somewhat surprised by the answer. "I don't know why they took the initiative to ride," he said. "It wasn't our team plan and I still don't think it was up to us to do that. We didn't have enough riders as it was. I don't know [what was going on]... we will find out later on."