Nhlapo Crashes Out Of Final

So near yet so far. That was the story which unfolded for South African Sifiso Nhlapo in making Friday's first ever BMX Olympic final at the Laoshan Bicycle venue on the west of Beijing city.

"Just one more race and anything can happen," said the 21 year-old before the final, having come through the three runs of the semi-final unscathed. "I'm just focusing on staying alive, having fun and just being smart. The race isn't won until the last race, so I'm just trying to progress each lap and this is exactly what I needed (going into the
final)."

The first run of the semi-final saw American' s Mike Day and Donny Robinson out in front for the whole course with Nhlapo directly behind. A crash on the first corner separated the third American, Kyle Bennett, and three others including leading contender Arturs Matison of Latvia, who finished sixth, putting him under pressure for the next runs.

Nhlapo started the second round in fifth but came through to repeat his third position, accumulating six points from two runs, with Day once again in first, and Robinson having to settle for third. "That's the way he rides - he builds on each outing, getting
stronger and stronger," said team coach Tony Harding confident that Nhlapo could medal. "This is the Olympics, man, anyone can win. You've seen all day it's been chasing up and everyone's after the same goal, so hopefully we all stay safe and the winner comes out a true winner," said Nhlapo before warming up for the sudden death final.

Neck and neck into the first corner, Nhlapo came out unscathed in fifth following World champion Stromberg, Day, Robinson and Australian Jared Graves. Jumping over the women' s track into the second corner, Nhlapo tried to cut inside the Australian, but snagged his back wheel, bringing them both down and leaving the South African prone on the corner.

Stromberg went on to add the Olympic title to his world title, with Americans Day and Robinson filling the other podium positions.

Nhlapo was taken for medical treatment. "Physically he's okay, just a few scraps and bruises, but he's very emotional and distraught over the race. This has been four years for this kid. It's what he lives for, it's his life. Just him and his bike," said Harding who was also struggling to come to terms with the disappointment of what he was sure was going to have a medal outcome.

"He' s a future champion and I would like to think a future Olympic champion. At 21, he's going to be here for London and even 2016. He is world class."

Eventually emerging from the team room, he gingerly walked to the testing station escorted by his support team. "I'm gutted, this was the Olympic finals. I've had all the support, I'm just so disappointed," said Nhlapo who was visibly drained, and a shadow of the enthusiastic confident finalist of one hour earlier.

"It (crashing) doesn't happen as often as it's happening here. Everyone is just riding above their heads because it's the Olympics.

This is the big race everyone's been aiming for, so everyone's just going flat out and that's what's causing most of the crashes. Everyone's just going stupid. Some guys are known for riding aggressively and have taken it up another level, but it's racing and
that's how it goes," said Graves who had been brought down by Nhlapo and felt frustration at losing his fourth place and the opportunity of a medal.

"It would have been nice if everyone had a clean lap and everyone stayed up and we had an eight-man race to the line. This is just on another level. The track is more challenging and it's all just on another level."

Sapa