Top spots in memory of Amy

Had she been at the Botanical Gardens circuit, there is little doubt that Amy Gillett would have warmly applauded Australia's one-two finish a drama packed women's roadrace.

Natalie Bates clinched the gold medal for Australia in a time of 2 hours 56 minutes to cross the line ahead of team mate Oenone Wood and Wales' Nicole Cook.

A crowd of many hundreds gathered in the Sunday sunshine around the picturesque 11 kilometre circuit to cheer on the riders.

And if it was high drama that the fans were after, the road race proved a reliable source.

Whether it was a loss of concentration or the most unfortunate touch, Australia's Olivia Gollan and New Zealand's Melissa Holt were involved in a high-speed crash in one of the early big packs.

Gollan caught the wheel of an English cyclist ahead of her and was sent sprawling off her bike and on to the bitumen. Holt, with no time or space to avoid Gollan, rode straight into her and fell heavily onto the road where she was attended to by medical staff. She was taken to hospital for observation.

Gollan managed to get back in the saddle and finished ninth.

Bates' ride was a solo effort with some courageous decision-making as she challenged the rest of the field to match her when she took off like a bullet with 28 kilometres to go.

Her decision was a superb one as the Australian racked up a four minute gap between her and next group of riders as they entered the final lap of the course.

After the race Bates said she still wasn't sure whether she was clearly home.

“I had no idea how big my lead was so I expected someone to fly out and challenge, but I was far enough in front,” a smiling Bates said.

“It's a fantastic atmosphere. As I came closer to the line I just let it all soak in.” When asked of her late team mate Bates said, “We think about Amy every day and I know she would have loved today.”

Silver medallist Oenone Wood spoke to Sports Australia after the race.

“It's just fantastic for Natalie. It nearly brought a tear to my eye to see her win. We're all proud of her,” Wood said.

Australians Sara Carrigan and Rochelle Gilmore finished seventh and tenth respectively.

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