Spaniard captures Olympic road race

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Samuel Sanchez of Spain outsprinted five rivals Saturday to win cycling's Olympic road race.

On a typically hot afternoon, a field of 143 riders embarked on a 152-mile journey that took them to some of China's most historic sites and finished near the Great Wall.

In the closing stage of the race, Sanchez broke away with four fellow Europeans and an Australian in a sprint to the finish.

Sanchez, 30, edged Italian Davide Rebellin. Third place went to Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

The other cyclists involved in the closing sprint were Alexander Kolobnev of Russia, Andy Schleck of Luxembourg and Michael Rogers of Australia

It is by far the biggest victory of Sanchez' career. He finished among the top 10 in the road race at the last two world championships.

His win continued a big year for Spain in the sport of cycling. Spaniard Carlos Sastre won the Tour de France earlier this summer and was part of the lead pack Saturday until fading to 49th -- more than seven minutes behind the winner. The leading American was Levi Leipheimer, who finished 20 seconds off the pace in 11th place.