Nicolas Roche said he was honoured to ride for Ireland at what was his fourth Olympic Games road race, adding he had tried to position Dan Martin and Eddie Dunbar for the hilly finale of the 234km event today.
In the end Martin was tailed off as the select group formed on the penultimate climb, Mikuni Pass, with about 40km to go. Roche and Dunbar had been jettisoned from the front of the race earlier on the climb.
Dan Martin got into a chasing group and finished in 16th place, in the group sprinting for 13th and 3:38 down on race winner Richard Carapaz (Ecuador). Roche and Dunbar finished together, in 75th and 76th, in a group 16:20 down.
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“Today the tactics were that I would look after the interests of Dan and Eddie to put them in the best position for the finish," Roche said. "Eddie tried to go in an early move with Remco (Evenepoel) and Dan played the safe card by just waiting and saving himself.
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"(It was a) good ride by Dan to make it into the top 20. When we got to the last climb, I just rode my pace and made it to the finish. It’s been an honour for me to ride the Olympics.
"I’ve had my chance to go for results of my own already three times and I thought it was fair to really commit this time for the other two who were in my opinion stronger for the day.”
Roche is due to ride the TT next Wednesday as Ireland's sole representative in the 44.2km race against the clock at Fuji International Speedway.
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