More than 24 hours after riding the race of his life Elliot Hubbard was still reflecting on what might have been.

Without the slightest hint of resentment, he ackowledged how differently Saturday 's 184 kilometre road race could have unfolded had he received the team support enjoyed by bigger nations.

As it was he rode solo, ultimately following home the three medallists by a mere 30 seconds, placing 19th after a mass sprint for the line following almost five hours in the saddle over undulating terrain which by race end had reduced the near-100-strong field to just 45 riders.

It was a gallant effort by the US-based pro but while he entered the day confident his career had reached a point where he believed he was a genuine medal contender, in the end the hills, humidity and repetitive bursts to cover moves at the head of the peloton took their toll.

"It was so much easier for the team riders,'' explained cycle coach Greg Hopkins. "They could take turns covering the leaders. Elliot had to respond to every move himself. That eventually wears you down.'' Said Hubbard: "Given all the conditions I have to be pleased. It was a tough course and a classy field and I managed to hang in there until the end.

"Heading into the last lap we were all pins and needles. It was never obvious who was going to get away. Everybody was jockeying for position.

"There were a lot of moves and it was difficult without team-mates to cover them all. I felt fine on the hills but was hurting on the straight dual carriageways.'' That was hardly surprising given the average speed of the peloton was clocked at a quick 40.6 kmh.

"At the finish I was exhausted,'' added Hubbard. "I went in looking for a medal and did everything I could. I can't be disappointed with that. A lot of good riders didn't finish.'' Among them were Australia's Tour de France rider Neil Stephens, considered by many the gold medal favourite. He punctured on the second lap, quickly pedalled back into the pack but after more than four hours called it quits.

Team-mate Jay Sweet, probably Australia's best sprinter, used that ability to full effect as he Turn to Page 22 Hubbard goes solo charged clear on the final straight to grab gold. And there was a huge upset as the virtually unknown Malaysian Rosli Effandy snatched silver ahead of Canadian Eric Wholberg. All were given the same time of 4:31:56 with the unfortunate South African David George taking fourth just a second later.

Those four along with two others had got away on the last of the 12 laps in a race which saw numerous breaks, but none that were decisive.

The main field had begun breaking apart on the very first lap due mainly to the hot pace set by the pros, but also through a number of spills which disappointingly dealt Bermuda an early double blow.

Young Kris Hedges, who performed so well at the recent CAC Games in Venezuela where he and MacInnes Looby qualified for the Kuala Lumpur trip, found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when a Zambian rider lost balance on the second hill of the first lap.

Hedges somersaulted spectacularly over his handlebars landing heavily on his right knee and elbow, and by the time he recovered the pack had disappeared.

Looby, having seen the crash, nobly dropped back to help his team-mate. But although they worked together to get back on the peloton, that effort sealed their fate.

Hedges dropped out at the end of lap three, where medic Anthony Raynor attended to his injuries, while Looby struggled on for two more laps before pulling out.

Bermuda's fourth rider Steve Sterritt also fell victim to a crash, losing touch with the pack after his path had been blocked. He too couldn't find a way back and retired after seven laps.

Hedges, who began the long journey home on Sunday evening, admitted he was bitterly disappointed.

"The guy in front of me got nudged by the rider next to him and he lost control. He fell right in front of me, there was nothing I could do. My wheel got caught up with his and I went right over the handlebars. Greg had been telling us to keep our eyes open and I'd actually moved up the field going into the hill to give me room. But that's just the way cycling is, it's about luck and today I didn't have it.'' CYCLING CYC