Johansson's breakthrough year was 2008. She signed with and had a successful spring classics campaign, claiming third place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, 7th at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda-Comune di Cittiglio and 9th in the Tour of Flanders. On 10 August, Johansson won the silver medal in the women's road race at the Beijing Olympics. She followed an attack by Tatiana Guderzo, at from the finish, which brought her in the lead group with Nicole Cooke, Christiane Soeder and Linda Villumsen. Cooke won the event in the five-woman sprint, Johansson claimed the silver ahead of Guderzo. Three day later, she placed 21st in the women's time trial.