Both Canada and Scotland claimed their first gold medals in the cycling event in the XIX Commonwealth Games here at the Greater Noida Expressway on the outskirts of Delhi, today.
In fact for Scotland, it was their first ever gold medal in cycling in the history of Commonwealth Games.
Scotland’s David Millar, who had earlier won a bronze medal in road race last Sunday, today outplayed the likes of New Zealand’s Jesse Sergent and Northern Ireland’s David McCann to take the first position in 40 km time trial race.
Millar completed the race in 47 minutes and 18.66 seconds to secure the gold, while England’s Alex Dowsett was only a second behind to take the silver. And Australia’s Luke Durbidge timed 48:19.22 to bag the bronze.
Surprisingly, David McCann, who was one of the favourites to begin with, unfortunately could not complete the race.
Millar was also one of the favourites but he said there was ‘not really any pressure’ on him.
“There was not really any pressure on me. It did effect me a bit on the road. On the way back when I slipped Durbridge, I thought I saw David McCann and thought Oh Oh!,” he joked.
The road racer, who completed a two—year suspension from cycling in 2006 for using the banned drug, said this win is very close to his heart.
“This means so much to me. I mean, it is the only race I could race and win for Scotland. This means so much more to me than a competition.”
The 33-year old, who is a part of English cycling team, cannot compete for Great Britain in the Olympics because of his drugs ban.
However, he was given special permission by Commonwealth Games Committee of Scotland to compete in Delhi.
Earlier, Canadian cyclist Tara Alice Whitten won the first gold for her country in the cycling event today.
This was Canada’s first gold in both track as well as the road event, who had previously won three bronze medals in track events.
Linda Villumsen of New Zealand won the silver medal, while England’s Julia Shaw snatched the bronze in the 29 kilometer individual time trial race.
With the mercury touching almost 44 degree Celsius, 28 cyclists had to brave the scorching sun to compete.
Whitten completed the race in 38 minutes, 59.30 seconds to beat her main rival Villumsen, who was almost five seconds behind her.
This gold has taken Canada’s tally to 26 gold medals and a total of 74 and Scotland’s tally to nine golds and total of 25 medals in the Games so far.
