Olympic Games day one: the men's road race - in pictures

Following Bradey Wiggins's victory in the Tour de France, enthusiasm for British cycling – and for Wiggo's sideburns in particular – has peaked Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The British team features Mark Cavendish, Christopher Froome, David Millar, Ian Stannard and Wiggins
Photograph: Mark Pain/NOPP

Cavendish is the main man and expectations are high that he could sprint to Britain's first gold medal of the Games Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

There's plenty of support for Cavendish, who hails from the Isle of Man Photograph: Tom Jenkins

After setting off from the Mall at 10am, the peloton sweeps towards Buckingham Palace Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/AFP/Getty Images

The Brits are at the front of the pack as they ride past the Queen's residence Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The colourful peloton follows in their wake Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Marcel Sieberg of Germany poses on his bike as he rides past the crowds Photograph: Tom Jenkins

She's been watching Blue Peter Photograph: Tom Jenkins

They head across Putney Bridge Photograph: Nick Ansell/PA

... and through Richmond Park Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

As the British cyclists approach Box Hill, Froome heads the peloton. Ahead of them a breakaway group of 12 riders have been allowed to open up a six minute gap Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

On the fourth lap of Box Hill, the Italian Vincenzo Nibali and a handful of other riders decide to pursue the breakaway ... but still the Brits are sitting tight Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The route is lined with spectators ... Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

... they'll be impressed by Phillipe Gilbert's sudden surge which has brought him level with the leaders. Way back in the peloton, Tony Martin of Germany (pictured) guides the riders around a hairpin bend Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Gilbert is setting the pace and the peloton can't seem to reduce the gap below a minute. The Brits will have to do something soon as they're running out of tarmac Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

There's a grave danger that Cavendish and co won't catch the breakaway - the gap is still 50 seconds with 23km to go and they're getting no help at the front of the peloton ...
Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Imag

But when Fabian Cancellara, one of the strongest riders in the lead group, crashes into the barriers during a sharp right turn it gives hope that the leaders may yet be caught
Photograph: Graham Chadwick/NOPP

But those hopes are unfounded. Alexandr Vinokurov of Kazakhstan and Rigoberto Uran Uran of Columbia launch a two-man battle over the final kilometre
Photograph: Getty Images

... and Vinokurov wins gold!
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP

Cavendish comes home in a disappointing 29th (40 seconds behind the winner) hence the sour face
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP

Wiggins is equally despondent. After such a wonderful Tour de France for the Brits, this is a nightmare result
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP

Within minutes, the medal presentation is held on the Mall and the emotional winner takes his place on the top step
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP

It's a picturesque scene, even without Cavendish
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP

Though for the British fans gathered in the stands, this is not quite the sight they hoped they'd see
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP

David Cameron is in the area meeting Games staff. Wonder what he made of today's race
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP

David Millar tries to explain the misfortune of his team. It seemed to be a combination of factors; an unexpectedly strong breakaway, a failure to react soon enough and the unwillingness of Britain's rivals to share the challenge of leading the peloton. Too late now, the gold medal has gone.
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP