Sunday, February 16, 2025

Commonwealth Games 2014 – Track, Day Three

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HomeRaceRace ReviewsCommonwealth Games 2014 - Track, Day Three

Commonwealth Games GlasgowAustralia had another great day at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, collecting another five medals to add to the previous two days haul of ten, putting them top of the cycling table with six more than any other country.

For the second day in a row, the Men’s Para Tandem provided one of the most memorable moments.

This time it was the Sprint competition and again it was the Scottish pair of Neil Fachie and Craig MacLean, winning the final two-matches-to-one and celebrating with their families whilst the crowd joined in singing to them, who brought the proceedings to a halt.

There was controversy in the Men’s Points race as riders showed the event is in fact a contact-sport, colluded and were disqualified.

There were some spills too; Scottish sprinter Jenny Davis showed real guts, crashing then minutes later remounting and contesting the minor final as if nothing had happened.

Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Craig MacLean and Neil Fachie (Scotland) with their second golds in two events. Photo©Martin Williamson
Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Jenny Davis joins the others at the start of the Women’s Sprint Minor Final. Photo©Martin Williamson
Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Moments later Jenny is on the floor, having crashed hard in the early laps. Photo©Martin Williamson
Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Chatting after the event, Jenny plucks out a sizeable splinter from her leg. Photo©Martin Williamson
Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Pete Jacques (r), Track Maintenance and Commissaire David Menzies (c) check for damage (or compete in the moonwalking competition). Photo©Martin Williamson

Men’s Para-Sport Sprint B2 Tandem

Neil Fachie piloted by Craig MacLean (Scotland) took their second gold medal in two days by winning the Para Sport Tandem Sprint in a thrilling three-race final against Kieran Modra and Jason Niblett (Australia)

The Aussies surprised the Scots in the first ride by accelerating early and forcing a lengthy chase, the Scottish pair having to go the long way round and running out of track before the line.

Modra and Niblett tried the same tactic in ride two but MacLean was ready for it and leapt onto their rear wheel, following it with only a few inches to spare – not easy on a tandem, let alone on a track and at race speed.

With a couple of laps to go the Scots pushed on and over the Australians, showing their superior power and making it one-all, meaning the third ride was necessary to decide the winner.

Ride three saw a similar race, the Scots taking the sprint to a huge roar from the crowd who were on their feet urging the two teams on.

Fachie and MacLean took a few laps to wave the Saltire flag, soak up the applause and shared the celebrations with their families up in the stands while the crowds joined in an impromptu rendition of the Proclaimers hit song ‘500 miles’.

Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Scotland throw to victory. Photo©Martin Williamson
Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Flying the Flag. Craig MacLean and Neil Fachie (Scotland). Photo©Martin Williamson
Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Craig MacLean and Neil Fachie (Scotland) with their gold medals. Photo©Martin Williamson

Podium presentation for the Tandem medals and the photographers compete for the athlete’s attention. “Over here guys!”, “Neil – look at me!”, “Hey lads, to us!”, and all of that.

The guy next to me shouts “Kiss the medals!” and Craig looks at him, smiles and shakes his head, ‘no, not gonna do that…‘. “Well, give us a roar then!”, so he did.

I knew it would appear in a newspaper somewhere.

Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Craig MacLean guides partner Neil Fachie to his family in the stand. Photo©Martin Williamson
Commonwealth Games 2014 - Track
Wales and Australia head to head for the bronze. Photo©Martin Williamson

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