LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD thought her career was over after Wednesday’s crash but hopes to able to ride at next Sunday’s national road race championship.

Competing in the Women’s Tour, Armitstead crashed into photographers after crossing the finish line and landed heavily on her side after rolling at least twice.

The Boels-Dolmans rider initially feared the worse, saying she saw her career flashing in front of her eyes, only to find out she suffered severe bruising.

“You definitely see your career flying away in front of you in that situation,” said Armitstead. “But I’m sure I will be OK for next weekend.

“I really thought my leg was broken, I was lying there thinking that 2015 was gone but I’d be OK maybe for Rio.”

Paramedics had to cut off her shoes due to extreme swelling and Armitstead was diagnosed with a sprained wrist and a blow to the head which has left her with headaches.

“I’ve got an extreme dead leg, heavy bruising to the thigh. I was asking my team manager if the bone was sticking out, it was so painful. I’m amazed to have come away with just bruising. They were cutting my shoes off it because it had swelled up so much, the whole leg had gone into spasm and locked up. I’m a bit uncertain how to treat it, because with a broken leg it’s clear what to do, I’ve never had an impact like this before.”