Great Britain celebrated bronze in the team time-trial mixed relay as the UCI Road World Championships began in Yorkshire on Sunday.
The British sextet of Dan Bigham, John Archibald, Harry Tanfield, Anna Henderson, Lauren Dolan and Joss Lowden spent a long afternoon in the hot seat after setting the fastest time of the early runners, and though they were pushed off the top step by gold medallists Holland and silver medallists Germany at the end, they embraced in smiles on stage.
Italy were the unlucky team to finish fourth, their hopes dashed by a puncture for Elisa Longo Borghini. They had been 14 seconds ahead of the British on the road before it happened, and though the Trek-Segafredo rider battled to get back on, they crossed the line four seconds down.
The race format, new to the world championships, saw the three male riders go off first with the women's team setting off in relay once the second man crossed the line.
