Kyle Gordon and Jonny Wale gave the home crowd plenty of reason to cheer as they both set personal best times in the Men’s Individual Pursuit on day two of the 2022 UCI Track Nations Cup.

First off was Wale, and from the get go it was clear he was on a stormer, lapping his competitor early into his 4km effort. In fact such was the speed he was operating at, it looked as if he might make the catch for a second time!

That wasn’t quite the case, but what he did achieve was a big personal best, and the fastest ever Individual Pursuit time produced on this Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

With the best of the best in action here in Glasgow, that track record was short lived, with a couple of riders having surpassed his 4.11.660 by the time his compatriot Kyle Gordon took to the boards. The man from Inverness was also on a mission, lapping his rival, who started on the other side of the track, pushing a huge gear the whole way.

The effort was etched across his face in the final few laps, but he got his reward with a large personal best time of 4.10.465, which almost earnt him a spot in the medal rides, but ultimately he had so settle for fifth place, with Wale seventh.

Naturally delighted wit his effort, Kyle noted:

“I’m extremely happy! I’ve been chipping away at my personal best for the last year. It was so good to have the home support – it always makes it special and to be racing on the home track always adds a bit of fire to the legs!”

On his pursuit of Commonwealth Games selection, after representing Team Scotland in the Gold Coast four years ago, Gordon said:

“I’ve left no stone unturned, and I’ve done absolutely everything I can and I’m desperate to get picked. I know I’ve given everything I can over the last few months and I couldn’t have done it without the fantastic support from Scottish Cycling and the Scottish Institute of Sport – there backing over the last four years has been second to none. Teamwork really does make the dreamwork!”

The evening session featured just one Scottish rider in the form of Neah Evans, fresh from her medal winning exploits last night – she would be one of the favourites for the Women’s Elimination race.

After the first few laps, Evans moved up and nestled nicely on the inside of the bunch, meaning she would have a smooth, easy run. That was until a crash took down a number of riders, including the Aberdonian, and the race was stopped whilst the track was checked and riders got new bikes and wheels.

After the restart Neah once again stayed to the fore, this time on the outside of the bunch, higher up the banking, but most importantly in control of her own destiny. That was until the final stages, where she was caught out in a five way sprint for the line, missing out on the throw, to finish up in fifth.

Evans will get a well-earned rest on Saturday before teaming up with Katie Archibald in the Madison on Sunday.

Full results from day two can be found here

Tickets for the rest of the weekend are still on sale here