U.S. Armstrong wins women's time trial gold

Kristin Armstrong (2nd L) of the United States celebrates after winning the women's individual time trial of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games cycling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. Kristin Armstrong finished the 23.5km course with a total time of 34:51.72 and won the gold medal of the event. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Kristin Armstrong of the United States rides during the women's individual time trial of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games cycling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. Kristin Armstrong finished the 23.5km course with a total time of 34:51.72 and won the gold medal of the event. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

Emma Pooley of Great Britain rides during the women's individual time trial of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games cycling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. Emma Pooley finished the 23.5km course with a total time of 35:16.01 and won the silver medal of the event. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Kristin Armstrong of the United States displays her gold medal at the awarding ceremony of the women's individual time trial of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games cycling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. Kristin Armstrong finished the 23.5km course with a total time of 34:51.72 and won the gold medal of the event. (Xinhua/Hou Deqiang)

BEIJING, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Kristin Armstrong awarded the United States its first cycling gold at the Beijing Olympic Games, wining the women's time trial here on Wednesday.

Armstrong, the 2006 world champion who celebrated her 35th birthday on Monday, has kept the Olympic time trial in her sight since 2005.

"It's the ride of my life. It's what I've dreamed about since I was a little kid. I had to stay focused on the descent and really push," Armstrong said.

In the August sweltering heat, the American demonstrated his sprinting ability from the beginning and dashed out in the last 3km to clock a winning time of 34:51.72 for the title.

"I broke the course into little pieces and worked corner to corner. All the work I've been doing on the track helped, too. I just broke it into three-kilometre intervals. I worried about my own race. I wanted to have everyone else race me," she added.

Emma Pooley of Britain took the silver in 35.16, while the bronze went to Karin Thurig of Switzerland in 35.50 seconds.

After taking bronze in Athens four years ago, Thurig got the chance to prove herself in Beijing. However, suffering from the heat, the Swisswoman failed her mission today.

"It was so hard. I suffered from the heat. But I am happy to win a medal, even it was not a gold," Thurig said.

Longo Ciprelli, the 49-year old French legend, narrowly missed a career fifth Olympic medal by taking the fourth place in 35:52.62, less than two seconds off the podium.

The French veteran is racing in her seventh consecutive Olympic Games.

Nicole Cooke, who won the road race last week, only finished 15th in 37.14 seconds, while Chinese cyclist Gao Min got the 17th place in 37.15 and her teammate Meng Lang placed 25th in 40.51.

The women's time trial, which features a climb and a descent just beneath the Great Wall, begins with the gradual 12.5km climb up Badaling Pass.

Twenty-five cyclists from sixteen countries and regions competed in the 23.5km race.