Kristin Armstrong will celebrate her 43rd birthday in Rio on Thursday. And it’s sure to be a celebration of note because the American cyclist just won her third consecutive gold medal in the women’s individual time trial.

Armstrong, who has retired twice from the sport and had numerous hip operations to get her back on the bike, said afterwards she hoped her win would inspire other mothers. The incredible victory would certainly have inspired her five-year-old son, Lucas, who was at the finish line in Rio on Wednesday – and who made an appearance on the podium in London four years ago.

“For so long we have been told that we’re finished at a certain age,” said Armstrong. “Athletes are showing that this is not true. For moms, I hope it is an inspiring day. I work at a hospital, I’m a mom, and that balance keeps me focused. Age doesn’t matter. We are all quite physically similar as athletes. Winning comes from between the ears.”

An emotional Armstrong embraced her son after reaching the finish line of the 29.7km course in 44:26.42, ahead of Russia’s Olga Zabelinskaya, who claimed the silver in 44:31.97. Dutch rider Anna van Breggen, who took gold in the women’s road race on Sunday claimed the bronze in 44:37.80.

“Lucas tucked his head into my armpit and said ‘why are you crying mom, you won?’ It’s another life lesson to teach him, why we cry when we’re overwhelmed with happiness. He has already learned about dedication and sacrifice. He gets it. He calls me Kristin Armstrong, not momma, when I’m on the bike.”

Armstrong held her nerve through some tricky conditions on Wednesday with rain making the roads exceptionally slippery.

“At 4.30am I went to the bathroom, and thought ‘oh my gosh’. It was not just raining, but there were puddles out there. The last thing we needed was slippery roads. I had to evaluate turns, and how fast I was going to take them.

“At the tip of the climb, I was down three seconds. My coach told me I needed to gain time, even though he’d previously told me there was no time to be gained on that section. He told me that I was in the medals, and it was time to decide what colour. My speed went up.

“Out of the three (medals I’ve won before), this was the most gratifying. This has been the hardest of my Olympic journeys. It’s still sinking in,” she beamed.