[4] Writers Alice Kovler and James McCullagh said: "The argument against funding women was based essentially on the fact that there were so few of them competing, and the dues paid by these [to the national federation] amounted to very little.

The cycling historian Peter Nye wrote: Tanks were everywhere, up and down every street, and soldiers were armed with machine guns.

Her victory was so unexpected that the award ceremony was delayed half an hour while officials searched for a recording of the American national anthem.

[6][7] When McElmury returned to the USA, a local television reporter wanted to know less about her world championship than the anniversary of the Russian invasion.

In France, Miroir du Cyclisme predicted a rise in the prominence of American women cyclists with a cartoon that changed the graffiti "US go home!"

Returning to this country [USA], McElmury still found it difficult to obtain travel expenses even though she was a strong enough rider to hold her own on the criterium circuit with the best American men, usually finishing in the top ten.

She and husband Michael Levonas continued to coach cyclists and triathletes in San Diego until they left the area, retiring in West Yellowstone, Montana.

[6] She obtained a degree in zoology from the University of California in San Diego and had a son, Ian, born in 1967.

Toward the end of her cycling career, McElmury and Levonas obtained business degrees at the University of Denver in hotel and restaurant management, Audrey graduating number one in her class.

The two then traveled through western states, Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, working in the food service industry.

Sutherland, Sandra Wright (2016) Rainbow Quest: The Adventurous Life of Audrey McElmury, America's First World Road Cycling Champion, Iris Press, USA