Lizzie Armitstead was unable to take advantage of her reprieve after missing three drugs tests as she finished fifth in a dramatic women's road race - as Great Britain's wait for a medal at Rio 2016 continues. Netherlands' Anna van der Breggen sprinted to victory to claim gold but the crash suffered by her teammate Annemiek van Vleuten overshadowed a classic contest on day two.

Van Vleuten was leading the race and looked set to top the podium before she was unseated on the final descent. A statement from her team read: "She is conscious, able to communicate. Further medical checks currently being made at the hospital." The episode represents the latest crash during the two days of road race action after Vincenzo Nibali and Richie Porte were among those to suffer crashes during the men's competition.

More about Rio 2016

Sweden's Emma Johansson and Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy took silver and bronze after the trio hunted down American Mara Abbott who had looked set to take advantage of Van Vleuten's crash. Armitstead was in the second group but was unable to bridge the gap in the closing stage - eventually finishing in fifth after a week where her integrity has been regularly questioned.

"I did exactly what I wanted to do in the race, limit my loses on the climb and I never gave up," she told BBC Sport. "It is something that I have been working on for months, my climbing. I knew what I was capable of, I knew what i had in my legs and I did as best as I could. I'm knackered.

Anna van der Breggen
Van der Breggen's victory could not overshadow the crash suffered by her teammate. Reuters

"I'm pretty exhausted. I am looking forward to spending time with my family and getting back to people who love me and care about me. I can't feel sorry for myself and that i what it is about. You open yourself up for judgement. I never gave up and for that I can be proud of myself.

Olympic champion Van der Breggen celebrations were muted as she awaited news over the condition of her teammate. "I started the chase after I saw Annemiek," the Dutchwomen said. "I think she crashed hard. I realised I was the first one of the team and I have to chase and I did tit for her. The the of us we knew we had to do it. You're riding for the third place at that moment and when I saw her that changes everything. If you see her like that it is a big shock."

Rio 2016 Olympics