U.S. cyclists having no luck in London

LONDON – Taylor Phinney’s fourth-place finish. Kristin Armstrong’s crash on a rain-slicked road course. Shelley Olds’ flat tire at the most inopportune of times.

They came into the London Games brimming with confidence. Instead, close calls and lousy luck have conspired against the U.S. cycling team, which has already experienced enough misfortune to last them the rest of the Olympics.

Armstrong, a University of Idaho graduate, will have a chance to rebound in the time trial.

The defending Olympic champion was near the climb of Box Hill during Sunday’s women’s road race when her tires slid out on the rain-slicked roads of the Surrey countryside.

She managed to pick herself off the tarmac with only some bumps and bruises, but the spill – and the cold, wet weather – appeared to have taken their toll.

Her lips were blue when she finally crossed the finish line.

Armstrong refused to speak to the media Monday, but USA Cycling spokeswoman Andrea Smith said Armstrong would be fine to start Wednesday’s time trial.