Radcliffe struggles in Vienna

Paula Radcliffe was at a loss to explain why she finished so far behind Haile Gebrselassie in the "Emperor versus the Queen" race.

The pair faced off in a head-to-head half marathon in Vienna. Radcliffe targeted a time below 70 minutes, but had to settle for a disappointing 1 hour 12 min 03sec, 11 minutes 11 seconds behind the Ethiopian. Gebrselassie, who has not qualified for the men's marathon in London, gave up a head start of seven minutes 52 seconds in the 13.1 mile race - the difference between their respective personal bests. "I am at a loss to explain why it was quite so bad. I still would have expected and hoped for a time in the 69s," she told BBC Radio 5 live. The 38-year-old had been suffering from a bout of bronchitis and pleurisy in the build-up to the event and admitted it was not the best preparation. "I know that racing on antibiotics isn't the best idea, and that is why I did not expect fireworks coming in," Radcliffe added. "The thing that worries me is that I did not feel myself out there while running. The danger is that it affects my confidence (ahead of the London Olympics)."