Lizzie Armitstead wins UCI Women Road World Cup with one round to spare (+ video)

Lizzie Armitstead has become just the second British woman to win the overall title in the UCI Women Road World Cup. The Yorkshirewoman, who rides for Boels-Dolmans, sealed her victory in the season-long competition with one round to go by taking eighth place at yesterday’s Open de Suède Vårgårda World Cup in Sweden.

The only British winner in the previous 16 editions of the competition was Nicole Cooke in 2006, and she finished second the following year, when Marianne Vos took the first of her five victories.

After yesterday’s race, which was won by Chantal Blaak of Specialized-Lululemon, Armitstead said: “I am relieved and happy. I didn’t expect to win the overall World Cup today already.”

Armitstead has led the nine-race series from the start, winning the season opener, the Ronde van Drenthe, in March, and claiming second place in each of the subsequent three races.

The final round is the Grand Prix de Plouay in France on 30 August, and in the meantime here are video highlights of yesterday’s race.