RICHMOND, VIRGINIA — Sports bring out every human emotion, and on Saturday in the biggest women's bicycle race on the planet a mix of them rushed through England's Lizzie Armitstead as she became the new road world champion of cycling.

At once she sprinted to the finish line and burst into tears of joy.

"It's a very special thing, a dream come true," Armitstead told the AFP. "I just couldn't believe it. I didn't get to celebrate.

"I was going all the way to the line. I can't believe it. I'm so happy. It's very surreal. I'm still in shock."

Dutchwoman Anna Van der Breggen was second and American Megan Guarnier was third.

Armitstead was a five-star favorite coming into the race, but she had tough competition, and after nearly four hours of racing in slick conditions she won by half a bike length.

Here's the finishing sprint to the line:

This was the crowd's reaction to the finishing sprint between the Briton, the Dutchwoman, and the American:

The UCI Road World Championships are taking place in the US for only the second time ever. They had their first run here in 1986 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Worlds wrap up Sunday with the elite men's circuit race in downtown Richmond.

Watch the race highlights here:

SEE ALSO: How to watch the cycling road world championships in Richmond, Virginia, live and for free

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