"After 28 kilometers" - 17 miles - "I think the real race will begin," he said.

"After 25 kilometers, I realized we were together," she said later.

After 45 kilometers of solitude, he was joined by the 10 others.

After about 200 kilometers, we made our first stop for refuelling at a supply unit.

But I had stomach problems and dropped out after 33 kilometers, about 20 miles.

After four kilometers, a few purple and dark blue stalks showed over a close rise.

The first I set to scan after 600,000 kilometers.

Crippen had told his coach after 8 kilometers that he was feeling thirsty, yet continued with the race.

It was only after 31 kilometers that a group of 34 riders got away.

Thursday he was 97th, nearly 29 minutes behind, after 180 kilometers (112 miles) more.