Commonwealth Games 2014 – Track, Day Three

Australia 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.

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’.

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.

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Men’s 1000m Time Trial

Taking a huge chunk off his own Games record set four years ago in Delhi, Scott Sunderland (Australia) took a fabulous victory in the Kilo. His time of 1.00.675 in the region of that which was only achievable at altitude a few years ago.

Two New Zealanders filled the podium slots, Simon van Velthoven taking silver in 1.01.060 and Matthew Archibald’s 1.01.162 good enough for third.

Men’s 40km Points Race

The Points Race turned out to be be a contest principally between New Zealand and the Isle of Man, with both teams using their three riders in various ‘team-like’ ways whilst the event is ostensibly one for individuals.

Kiwi rider Tom Skully won the race after a strong last-lap sprint with teammate Aaron Gate taking bronze.

Chasing breaks, towing teammates and giving lead-outs were all evident from both teams (and others) but for some reason only the Isle of Man riders Mark Christian and Joe Kelly were disqualified from the results for ‘collusion’ before the race was finished, with their remaining rider Peter Kennaugh going it alone and ending up with the silver medal having looked very strong all race with lots of attacking and pushing breaks along.

Nine riders had taken a lap in the first quarter of the race after grouping together following an attack instigated by Glenn O’Shea (Australia) after the first sprint points. Once the lap was gained, teammates and circumstances stopped anyone from un-lapping themselves and making it clear who would be contesting the medals – with both the Kiwis and Manxmen helping their top-placed riders out.

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Women’s 10km Scratch Race

Australia’s Anette Edmonson stepped up from yesterday’s silver medal in the Individual Pursuit to add gold to her Games haul with her teammate Amy Cure taking the silver, adding to her IP bronze.

The race wasn’t run off as one of the fastest 10k’s ever, the stronger teams foxing a bit and covering moves without really committing until Stephanie Roorda and Laura Brown (Canada) stepped on the gas and made it difficult for anyone wanting to get off the front.

No-one gained a lap or got a decent gap and the bunch whittled down as riders lost contact and were pulled out by the commisaires. The Scottish and English teams hit the front with ten laps to go to try to setup their key riders but it was the Australians who timed their efforts the best, Edmonson was clearly the strongest and Cure just holding off Elinor Barker, who took third.

England’s Dani King was fourth and Katie Archibald (Scotland) fifth, after looking like she was heading for a medal with a couple of laps to go.

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