Britain’s Lizzie Armitstead was denied the opportunity to contest the final sprint of La Course by Le Tour de France due to a crash with one-kilometre to go.
The Boels Dolmans rider was readying herself for the sprint when she tangled with French national champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Rabo-Liv), the pair both crashing at the flamme rouge.
With a reduced bunch of around 30 riders, reigning world and Olympic champion Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv) took the win with a perfectly-timed sprint, ahead of Kirsten Wild of the Netherlands and Canadian Leah Kirchmann.
Hannah Barnes was the best-placed Brit, the United Healthcare rider finishing in the bunch in 21st place. Teammate Sharon Laws was 24th, 10 seconds back on Barnes, while Emma Pooley (Lotto Belisol Ladies) was 84th, one minute and 16 seconds back.
Armistead remounted following the crash to roll home in 94th place, three minutes and 11 seconds down.
Following the race Armitstead tweeted: “Well 2 bike changes and a crash, Paris you didn't deliver my romantic dreams! Going home with stitches but I'll be fine :)”
The 89-kilometre race took place on the iconic Tour de France finishing circuit, the Champs Elysees, prior to the Tour de France peloton arriving to contest the final sprint and welcome the 2014 malliot jaune.
La Course is part of the UCI’s Women’s Cycling Week, an international series of events throughout July with the goal of growing women’s cycling at every level.
