Team Wales Commonwealth Games round-up
Team Wales may have not come away with all of the medals they were looking for but noone can take it away from anyone taking part that they did not give it 100%. Here is a brief look at how the Games panned out for the Welsh riders.
Becky James day 1 medal joy
500mtr TT: TUESDAY 5 OCTOBER
Wales' Becky James, on her way to Bronze in the 500m TT (Image: John Giles/Press Association)
Becky James opened Team Wales account with a bronze medal, taking Wales' first medal in this particular event.
Becky James of Wales was the first rider to record under 20 seconds for the first lap and went on to 35.236 seconds, a new personal best, beating her 35.254 set at the recent national championships. It was an impressive and technically neat ride for the young Welsh star who will be looking to continue building on her performances leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games.
However James was denied by the Australian duo of Kaarle McCulloch with 34.780 and then Anna Meares with 33.758 took their predicted one-two. Meares' time was a new Games record.
1. Anna Meares (Australia) 33.758 (new Games record)
2. Kaarle McCulloch (Australia) 34.780
3. Becky James (Wales) 35.236
One better for James on day 3
Women's Sprint: THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER
Becky James was not happy going home with just the one medal and on the 3rd day of competition, James demonstrated what a true World class act she has become.
Anna Meares won the women's sprint final ahead of Welsh starlet Becky James. James certainly made her presence known, proving she is a force for the future by challenging one of the undisputed greats of sprinting - especially in the second match.
Diving up the inside, James put the pressure on along the back straight, Meares only able to pass on the line for a win by the narrowest of margins.
1. Anna Meares (Aus)
2. Becky James (Wal)
3. Emily Rosemand (Aus)
Here is what Becky James had to say:
When I found out I was selected to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games, I was absolutely thrilled and I never once had doubts about competing at the Games.
In my first event the 500M TT I was thinking to myself, I am here representing my country in one of the World's biggest sporting events, and it was quite hard to take in. I felt very proud, but I had to also remember that I was there to do 'my job' and try and perform to the best of my ability.
Obviously coming away from the 500M TT with a bronze medal was like a dream come true and certainly worth all the hours of training, whatever the weather.
It's difficult to find words to describe the Match Sprint, because everything went how I had visualised it to go. I was very nervous before hand, but when I knew I had a guaranteed silver medal, I just went out and enjoyed the experience and did my best.
I am over the moon with my medals and my performances at the Games and to think that was done wearing the Wales kit, makes it extra special.
Harrison so close
Men's Points Race: WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER
The next young Welsh rider making a name for himself is the ever impressive Sam Harrison. Riding up both the Individual pursuit and and the men's points race, Harrison came close to claiming what would have been Wales 2nd medal of the Championships.
In race dominated by Australian World Champ Cameron Meyer, its was left to the English, Welsh and IOM teams to battle it out for the Silver and Bronze medals. Harrison with the help of his team managed to gain enough points to put himself in the running for the bronze medal after Atkins gained two laps. After the final sprint Harrison was level on points with Mark Christian leaving the riders positions in the final sprint to decide the medal. Christian claimed the medal from the battling Harrison.
1. Cameron Meyer (Australia) 89
2. George Atkins (England) 52
3. Mark Christian (Isle of Man) 37
4. Sam Harrison (Wales) 37
Harrison's impressive performances started with the Individual pursuit on the 1st day of track competition, qualifying in 7th place heading most of his British rivals apart from Northern Irelands Martyn Irvine.
Certainly and impressive debut for such a young rider.
Here is what Sam Harrison had to say about the event:
“It was an amazing experience riding the Commonwealth Games. With all the bad media coverage before going I wasn’t expecting much. However, it really hit me just how big the Games actually are when we arrived.”
Sam Harrison also took part in the mens road race in Delhi
DQ Disappointment for Wales
Men's Team Pursuit: WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER
Wales certainly looked to have a team capable of winning atleast a silver or bronze medal in the team pursuit but it was not meant to be.
Further controversy followed in the later qualification races - not least for the Welsh team in the team pursuit. Following two alleged false starts, the team was removed from the competition without the chance to qualify for the race proper.
Heated protests followed from Welsh Team Manager Darren Tudor, with English Team Manager Shane Sutton adding to the arsenal at one stage, but the decision was final and Wales would not be granted to opportunity to race. The team's disappointment could not be imagined and the riders were left to watch from the sideline.
Team Pursuit Qualification
1. Australia 4.00.285
2. New Zealand 4.03.443
3. Northern Ireland 4.22.669
4. India 4.31.259
5. Wales (DSQ)
"A life changing experience"
Young Welsh sprint rider Lewis Olivia discribed his Commonwealth experience as 'life changing'. Here is what Lewis had to say
"It was a truly life changing experience rubbing shoulders with the best athletes from around the world from all sporting disciplines! Everybody was so friendly and there was an amazing atmosphere around the village! It was completely different to what the media had presented with no hiccups or problems, and the accommodation and food were brilliant! The racing itself was fantastic- a new pb and being able to mix it up with the big boys as my first real racing experience as a senior! I just hope I didn't look too out of sort!”
Cooke and Wales so close again
Women's Road Race: SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER
Nicole Cooke was hoping to put the 'so close' of finish of the World Championships behind her and set her sights on crossing the line first in Delhi. It looked however with 200mtrs to go that the 'so close' demon would strike Wales again. Wales' Nicole Cooke suffered another near miss: having appeared well placed with 200 metres to go, she found her way to the front blocked and finished fifth.
The Women's Road Race in the shadow of the India Gate monument (Press Association/AP/Manish Swarup)
Here is what Nicole had to say about the event:
It was a thrilling finish to the 107km Commonwealth Games Road Race held in Delhi. Nicole, riding for her home country Wales, was caught up in a crash on the 2nd lap, while Nicole was not taken down, her front wheel was buckled! Knowing the neutral service would be stopped behind the crash Nicole's only hope was to change a wheel with team mate Jess Allen.
Jess immediately stopped they swapped wheels and Nicole took up the chase with the peleton out of sight and no race convoy to help. Nicole regained the bunch and the remaining girls of the Welsh team rode well through the main part of the race covering any dangerous break aways and Nicole kept herself out of trouble riding in the bunch. Come the finale it was down to Nicole to take on the bigger nations in what was destined to be a bunch finish on this flat course. Nicole was right up there in the closing kilometres and placed herself well coming in to the finishing straight, it was a thrilling finish as the bunch sprinted to the finish line and Nicole came in 5th which was a good result on the day. Rochelle Gilmore (AUS) won ahead of Lizzie Armitstead (ENG) and Chloe Hosking (AUS).
"Coming in to the finish I didn't have many options or the luxury of team mates and a lead out so the main thing was to keep at the front and out of trouble. I was well placed coming in to the finishing straight and then had to make the best call as the Australian and English lead-out trains were coming up. I sprinted well but was not able to match the others. Overall I'm pleased with my ride today and following up the Worlds with another good result is a nice way to finish the season."
1. Rochelle Gilmore (AUS) 2:49:30
2. Elizabeth Armitstead (ENG)
3. Chloe Hosking (AUS)
4. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZL)
5. Nicole Cooke (WAL)
Here is what Angharad Mason had to say abou the event:
"Commonwealth games Delhi 2010.... what an incredible experience! The people of Delhi did themselves proud and put on a great Games. The multi sport atmosphere in the village was excellent and following all the media hype leading up to the Games I found both the accommodation and facilities clean and functional.
Participating in the cycling road race was a quite a surreal experience. Due to the very high security measures that were deemed necessary, the course was surrounded by eight foot fences which made it impossible for spectators to line the streets and voice their support.
The women's Welsh team in support of Nicole Cooke were plagued by bad luck from the start. Crashes, cramp and mechanicals meant that going in to the last lap we were down to one sole member in Nicole who eventually finished a very gutsy fifth.
Heading home with a considerable amount of road rash I can reflect on a very memorable, friendly Commonwealth Games."
Rowe mixing it with the big boys
Luke Rowe already has an impressive palmers against his name but over the past couple of weeks the 19 year old has demonstrated he can mix it with the big names in the sport. The men's road race took place on a pancake flat course and it was never going to give the climbers in the bunch much to get excited about but when your Welsh and riding in the Commonwealth Games for your country, its enough to make anyone ride out of thier skin.
The race unfolded well for Rowe, making the major split with all of the big names including Cav, Miller and Rollins. It was from this front pack where the winner would eventually emerge after Rowes group were joined by Allen Davis and CJ Sutton.
Rowe managed to dig deep during the final stages of the event cross the line a in truely impressive 9th place only being beaten by British pro riders Miller 3rd and Cav in 7th. Also riding as part of the Wales line up was Paul Esposti, Rhys Lloyd and Dale Appleby.
Here is what Luke Rowe in 9th place had to say about the event:
“To ride at the Commonwealth Games with the dragon on your back and the nation behind you was special, an awesome feeling! It’s the first time I’ve raced for Wales at world level and I loved every minute of it. I am already looking forward to 2014.”
Here is what Paul in 19th place had to say about the event:
"It was an amazing experience to race through the hot dusty streets of Delhi, the hectic daily street life was portrayed throughout the race."
Here is what Rhys Lloyd had to say about the event:
"To ride for Wales in Delhi was a very memorable occasion for myself and those nearest to me. A lot of hype before hand put some athletes off going but there was no hesitation to what I wanted to do, it could have been in the north pole as far as I was concerned! I was going to go there and race my bike because it's what I love doing. Riding for Wales out there made it that much better. I really enjoyed India."
1 Allan Davis (Australia) 3:49:48
2 Hayden Roulston (New Zealand)
3 David Millar (Scotland)
4 Christopher Sutton (Australia) 0:00:04
5 David Mccann (Northern Ireland) 0:00:11
6 Dominique Rollin (Canada) 0:00:22
7 Mark Simon Cavendish (Isle of Man) 0:00:59
8 Gordon Mccauley (New Zealand) 0:01:09
9 Luke Rowe (Wales) 0:02:49
10 Jack Bauer (New Zealand)
11 Zach Bell (Canada) 0:02:54
12 Dan Craven (Namibia) 0:04:20
13 Andrew Fenn (Scotland)
14 Alex Dowsett (England)
15 Adam Armstrong (Northern Ireland)
16 Erik Hoffmann (Namibia)
17 Johann Rabie (South Africa)
18 Paul Esposti (Wales)
19 Will Routley (Canada) 0:04:23
20 James Mclaughlin (Guernsey)
21 Evan Oliphant (Scotland) 0:04:48
22 Arnaud Papillon (Canada)
23 Rhys Lloyd (Wales)
24 Philip Lavery (Northern Ireland) 0:04:58
25 Ryan Roth (Canada) 0:05:17
26 Gregory Lovell (Belize) 0:05:24
27 Tobyn Horton (Guernsey)
28 Yannick Lincoln (Mauritius)
29 Christian Spence (Jersey) 0:05:27
30 Jay Robert Thomson (South Africa)
31 Geron Oliver Williams (Guyana) 0:07:22
32 Darren Matthews (Barbados)
33 Nathan Byukusenge (Rwanda)
34 Mohd Shahrul Mat Amin (Malaysia)
35 Emile Abraham (Trinidad and Tobago)
36 Mohd Harrif Salleh (Malaysia)
37 Andrew Brian Roche (Isle of Man)
38 Erick Rowsell (England)
39 Sean Downey (Northern Ireland)
40 Robert Hunter (South Africa)
41 Daryl Impey (South Africa)
42 Amir Mustafa Rusli (Malaysia)
43 Dale Appleby (Wales)
44 Chris Froome (England)
45 Simon Yates (England) 0:07:26
46 Edgar Nissani Arana (Belize) 0:16:26
47 Josh Gosselin (Guernsey)
48 Sandeep Kumar (India)
49 Atul Kumar Singh (India)
50 Robin Ovenden (Jersey)
51 Abraham Ruhumuriza (Rwanda)
52 Laxmen Wijerathna (Sri Lanka)
Final thoughts from the Team Manager
"Whilst we haven't got all the results that we were looking for in Delhi, we can't be disappointed with the performances. Every rider gave it their best, and Sam, Alex, Luke and Nicole came so close to medaling against some very strong competition. Obviously Becky James' two medals were a real highlight for the team, and the biggest positive is that I expect most of the team to be there on the start line in Glasgow in four years time, stronger, more experienced and hopefully the results there will show that." Gareth Sheppard
