Legendary Dutch cyclist calls it quits after gold

Dutch legend Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel wins the women's individual time trial competition in Vouliagmeni, 40km from Athens. PHOTO: AFP

Dutch great Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel gritted her teeth and rode through intense pain to successfully defend her Olympic time trial gold medal and then call it quits on Wednesday.

Zijlaard-van Moorsel was in doubt for the time trial after crashing heavily during last Sunday's 118.8km road race and bruising her shoulder, hip and elbow.

But three days later the 34-year-old Dutch marvel was back in the saddle to clock the fastest time and claim her fourth Olympic gold medal after winning three in Sydney four years ago.

She clocked 31 minutes 11.53 seconds over the 24km coastal course to take gold ahead of American Deidre Demet-Barry (31:35.62) and Swiss Karin Thuerig (31:54.89).

Zijlaard-van Moorsel, who took on legendary status when she claimed all three gold medals -- in the road race, the individual time trial and the individual pursuit on the track in Sydney -- confirmed that this would be her last time trial and final Olympics.

"No way will I be back in Beijing, this was my last time trial," she said without a moment's hesitation.

"There were tears of joy and pain, especially over the last 10km of the race it was very painful.

"But I kept saying to myself that this would be the last time that I had to suffer like this."

She has one more scheduled event to ride in Athens in the individual pursuit on the track.

"I hope I can recover sufficiently to ride in the three-kilometer pursuit and after that, that's it," she said.

Regardless, the time trial victory made the Athens Games a dream finale to Zijlaard-van Moorsel's trailblazing career. She was the third-last rider out on the course, and when she crossed the line weakened by the effort it took a few minutes before it was confirmed that her time had not been bettered by two remaining riders.

She was embraced by her husband and coach Michael Zijlaard and Dutch team members and the tears flowed at a special sporting moment.

Zijlaard-van Moorsel now intends to pass on her wealth of experience in coaching young cyclists in her post-Olympic career.