Anna van der Breggen claimed gold in the women's road race Sunday after fellow Dutchwoman Annemiek van Vleuten suffered a horrific crash with little over 11 kilometers remaining in the race.
Van Vleuten came off on one of the many turns on the sharp descent toward the end of the 136.9-kilometer route, going over her handlebars and appearing to strike the ground head-first.
MORE: Getting to know the U.S. athletes
BREAKING NEWS: Dutch Olympic cyclist Van Vleuten suffers horrendous crash just 6 miles away from winning gold. pic.twitter.com/bTIw7MrKKO
— Breaking News Feed (@pzf) August 7, 2016
Mara Abbott of the United States was able to pass the incident unscathed and led until the final few hundred meters, when Van der Breggen seized her opportunity to cross the line first.
Sweden's Emma Johansson was second, with Elisa Longo Borghini taking third and Abbott missing out on the podium.
"It really shook me when I saw Annemiek crashed in the road," van der Breggen said. "Annemiek was leading but I realized I was now first in the team. I was shocked."
MORE: Injured French gymnast vows for return to 2020 Olympics
As with the men's race on Saturday, when several leading riders crashed, the greatest drama happened late in the race.
What had been a tactical and sometimes scrappy affair developed into an intriguing battle for the line, with van Vleuten setting the tone on aggressive ascent and speedy descent.
But she lost control on a bend and came off her bike at speed, leading to fears over her well-being as she initially lay motionless by the roadside.
The Dutch Cycling Federation later said van Vleuten was "okay." The federation soon added: "Van Vleuten is conscious and has been transported to the hospital for further examination. The (federation's) doctor is with her."
The race continued amid concern among onlookers, with Abbott taking command and effectively launching into a 10-kilometer time trial.
She had the finish line within sight, but was in the crosshairs of Van der Breggen, Johansson and Longo Borghini, all of whom conspired to force the American off the podium.
"I rode it to the max," Abbott said. "I got to 200 meters and I thought 'Oh my God, this is going to happen.' Then they passed me."