British cyclist Emma Pooley has burst into tears following her disappointing sixth-place finish in the Olympic time trial in southwest London.

Pooley, who was born in London, looked shattered as she spoke with journalists at Hampton Court Palace. American Kristin Armstrong won the race to defend her Olympic title.

The absence of a major hill on the course in Surrey did not suit the 29-year-old rider's climbing abilities. She clocked 38 minutes, 37.70 seconds and lagged more than a minute behind Armstrong.

Pooley, a former world champion, says: "I should not have got my hopes up."