Rio de Janeiro - Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio reluctantly accepted her 10th place finish in the women’s road race at the Rio Olympic Games.
Moolman-Pasio came into the race convinced she would be able to challenge for a medal which made the disappointment the more painful.
Like her male counterpart Louis Meintjes the day before she came close but the gruelling Rio course proved a tough nut to crack.
"I am happy with the top 10 but I am disappointed not to have a medal but I will have another go in the time trial on Wednesday," a visibly disappointed Moolman-Pasio said.
"I have to up myself a little, I must admit I am disappointed."
Although it will be of little consolation, Moolman-Pasio's result was the best by a female road cyclist since readmission.
Her 16th place finish from London 2012 was the second best since 1992.
She was still in with a shout going into the penultimate climb with the chasing pack before slipping further back on the final ascent finishing in 3:52.41.
In the end Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen claimed victory in what proved you be a dramatic finish crossing the line in 3:51:27.
America's Mara Abbott looked set for the title before she was cruelly caught with the finish in sight.
Sweden's Emma Johansson claomed silver with Italy’s Elissa Longo Borghini bagging the bronze.
On the decent following the climb Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten hit the curb at speed leaving her unconscious after leading with Abbott.
Moolman-Pasio's team-mate An-Li Kachelhoffer finished in 38th place.
"It was a tough day, very tactical and I suppose if we we had more team mates it would have helped," Moolman-Pasio aid.
"There were some moments in the race I was isolated and maybe put in too much in the wind it would have helped.
"I'm a bit nervous of breakaway going up the road but I gave it my everything and An-Li also gave everything, she did her best to support me."
Kachelhoffer was happy with her contribution to Moolman-Pasio's result and racing at her maiden Olympics.
"I wanted to finish and I don't think I had too bad of a race today," Kachelhoffer said.
"It was a deam come true and you can always say 'if only' bit you have to be content with what you've done."
Independent Media