Emma Pooley, the Olympic silver medallist, missed out on a medal in the women's time-trial at the Road World Championships in Varese, Italy.

The 25-year-old, who finished second in the time-trial in Beijing Olympics and played a key role in Nicole Cooke's gold medal success in the road race, posted a time of 34min 48.87sec to finish eighth.

Amber Neben, of the United States, claimed the title in a winning time of 33min 51.35sec, a result that put her ahead of her more fancied compatriot Kristin Armstrong, the Olympic champion, who could only finish fifth.

Christiane Soeder, of Austria, took second place with Germany's Judith Arndt in third.

Britain's Sharon Laws finished in 19th place.

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