Pitel, 49, wins French road race title

Edwige Pitel won her second French championship road race cycling title aged 49 years on Saturday after rival Elise Delzenne suffered a double puncture while leading.

Already champion in the discipline in 2007, Pitel crossed the line alone ahead of Marjolaine Bazin and Audrey Cordon-Ragot after clocking 3hr 6min 11sec over 104.8km.

Pitel adds to the silver she won in Thursday's time-trial event behind Cordon-Ragot and ahead of 27-year-old Delzenne.

"The Olympic Games were my motivation for this year, unfortunately I'm only a replacement," said Pitel, who also won the time-trial gold in 2004 and 2005.

"But at least the preparation paid off today, and could also be useful for the Olympics," continued Pitel.

"You always need a little luck and today it was my turn," she added of her rival's puncture.

Pitel is three years younger than decorated French rider Jeannie Longo who won the time-trial title in 2011 aged 52 years. Longo was also 49 when he won her final road race gold in 2008.