EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 Television
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Dutch treat

Zijlaard completes cycling quest

The Netherlands' Leontien Zijlaard raced to the gold medal in the women's individual pursuit. AP

SYDNEY, Australia (CNNSI.com) - Leontien Zijlaard completed her collection of cycling awards, winning Olympic gold in the individual pursuit.

The 30-year-old Dutch veteran finished in 3 minutes, 33.360 seconds.

Marion Clignet of France won the silver in 3:38.751, and Yvonne McGregor of Britain won the bronze medal race in 3:38.850.

Zijlaard rode a world record in Sunday's semifinals, clocking 3:30.816 to break a 4-year-old mark that had been set by Clignet.

The Frenchwoman was very graceful in defeat, after trailing all the way.

"I appreciate that she got it because she is a fighter," Clignet said. "She took my world record and she took the title that I wanted. But she is a beautiful champion."

From Sports Illustrated • SI Images: Photos from the Games • Rick Reilly: Let's just stay here • E.M. Swift: Missed opportunity for men's gymnastics team • Tim Layden: Track & field -- Godina hasn't been the same since last summer • Alex Wolff: Chinese coaching philosophies are too dated | U.S. women see three styles in three nights • Michael Farber: Volleyball -- Sykora has energy -- plenty of energy • Brian Cazeneuve: Judo -- The Pedros were golden in support • John Walters: Remote patrol • Medal Picks: SI's Predictions More Features • Day at a Glance: A sure thing • Wake-up Call: Tracking the day • Viewers' Guide: What to watch for • Quiz: Today's tester Athletes • Athlete Bios: U.S. Rosters Multimedia • Photo Gallery: Shots of the Day • Photo Gallery: Pool party • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Video and More

Zijlaard, owner of seven road and track world championship titles, said winning the gold by far surpassed setting the world record.

"I think the Olympic title is a great feeling inside. It's so unbelievable. It's good," said the former Tour de France winner.

McGregor finally got the bronze, after just missing out in Atlanta.

"After Atlanta when I finished fourth I didn't want to do it again," she said. "I knew I had to ride a controlled race. I couldn't go out, I had to ride efficiently," McGregor said after beating Sarah Ulmer of New Zealand by eight hundredths of a second for third place.

McGregor was behind after 2 kilometers, but caught up in the last kilometer of the 3,000-meter race.

"I knew I was gaining and I just went all out for the line. I heard the gun go off on my side first and then it was just tears," she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.