WUHAN, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Patrick Haller of Germany emerged out of the 102 riders to win the men's individual road race here on Monday at the 7th Military World Games, but Germany lost the team competition to Latvia.
Haller broke away with three kilometers to go to finish the 127.6km race in two hours, 42 minutes and 45 seconds, edging runner-up Andris Vosekalns of Latvia by two seconds. Alexis Bodiot of France earned a bronze medal with the time of 2:42:48.
"It was very close," said the 22-year-old, who told reporters he was not sure he could win until the last 200m. "But then I had enough time to enjoy it."
"I'm happy to give the German army something back for supporting me through the years," he added.
However, after adding up the four best results of each team, Vosekalns and Haller switched place on the podium with Latvia on top with a combined 10:51:16. Germany had to settle for the silver while France bagged the bronze.
"We only wanted to show our best, but in the final stages we got three guys in the front. I am happy about that and I am happy about my performance," Vosekalns said.
Taking home two bronze medals in individual and team events, Bodiot was both happy and disappointed.
"In the last kilometers I wanted a sprint, but two guys were already ahead, so it (the bronze medal) is not as good as I wanted," he told reporters.
"I have the podium [individually] and also with the team, so it's a good day, even if I'm a bit frustrated about the bronze medal."
All cycling events have concluded by Monday. On the two previous matchdays, Severine Eraud of France won women's individual time trial and Anton Vorobyev of Russia triumphed in the men's event. Host China secured two golds out of six on offer from women's individual and team road race on Sunday.
