RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Evelyn Stevens has built the kind of resume in cycling that should make her one of the favorites to land on the podium in Sunday's Olympic road race.
She nearly didn't get the chance to compete at all.
In perhaps the strongest sign of American might, the four women selected for the road race were not set until just before leaving for Rio — and after several arbitration hearings sought by riders who believed they had earned the chance to race along Copacabana Beach.
"That was the first time I ever had that experience," said Stevens, who also competed at the London Olympics four years ago.