Who won the first women’s Olympic road race, held at the 1984 Los Angeles Games?

Connie Carpenter won the first women's Olympic road race at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

The women's individual road race was added to the Olympic program in 1984, giving female cyclists their first Olympic road-race event. Carpenter, representing the United States, won the 79-kilometre race in a sprint finish ahead of her teammate Rebecca Twigg and Britain's Jeannie Longo.

Carpenter had already competed internationally in speed skating before concentrating on cycling. Her Olympic victory helped establish the event as a permanent part of the women's cycling program. She later married fellow cyclist Davis Phinney, and their son Taylor Phinney also became a professional cyclist.

The race is sometimes confused with the women's Olympic time trial, which was introduced later. Carpenter's medal came in the mass-start road race, where riders begin together and tactical positioning is central.