Fans get 'free entry' to bike race

Sports fans got "free entry" to the Olympics yesterday, when the men's cycling road race took to the streets of Beijing.

The race began in Yongdingmen in Chongwen district and traveled though Juyong Pass in Changping district.

Thousands of volunteers and spectators gathered at the start before 9 am, even though the race did not get under way until 11 am.