Malvern cyclist wins gold for England
Hundreds lined the route for the men's and women's cross country event in Cannock Chase
Malvern rider Evie Richards put a "terrible year" behind her to storm to Commonwealth gold in today's mountain bike race.
There was no sign of the back injury or multiple illnesses that have plagued Worcestershire's world champion over the last six months as she rode clear on the first of the seven laps around Cannock Chase forest to improve on the silver she took in Gold Coast four years ago.
There was one scare with two laps to go when she slid on a corner and had to remount but that was the only moment in the 95-minute race where a Richards win looked in doubt.
Though Richards had insisted coming into the race she needed to "be realistic" about her chances given recent setbacks, she was ultimately a comfortable winner from Australia'sZoe Cuthbert and South Africa'sCandice Lill, with Scotland's Isla Short fourth.
"I've had a terrible year," the 25-year-old said. "From being world champion last year this year has gone to shambles. I had a bad back in February and this is the first race with no pain, no tears. Just to finish a race, it sounds silly, but it's such a special moment.
"I've had everything from Covid to a stomach bug in Brazil so just to put a race together and to finish without a bad back, to be healthy, really means the world to me.
"I knew I wasn't the strongest but I just had to try. Sometimes I play it down to make it easier mentally, to take a bit of pressure off, but obviously I always want to win."
She has skipped two legs of the World Cup for the opportunity to ride in front of family and friends - her grandparents Jean and Cliff were able to watch her for the first time in six years - and took her rewards.
Richards attacked from the start, building a lead of over 30 seconds after just two laps. But Cuthbert was starting to eat into it going into the final two laps, and the sight of her coming back forced Richards into a mistake.
"I was really shocked," she said. "I'd felt calm and confident but coming into the arena I turned behind me and saw a rider. I had a little slip because I was quite surprised. I had very clear time splits from my team and it scared me.
"I thought, 'Oh God, I'm going to have to do something special.' Luckily I still had reserves, I put in a surge and managed to drop them but I scared myself."
Surprises in the men's race
The men's race saw Sam Gaze successfully defend his title with New Zealand team-mate Ben Oliver second.
There was a surprise bronze for Namibia'sAlex Miller - who admitted he had almost travelled without his podium tracksuit not expecting to need it - after he rode away from Northern Ireland's Cameron Orr and England's Joe Blackmore on the last of the eight laps.
Scotland's Charlie Aldridge had looked good for the podium when he went clear of Blackmore and Orr midway through the race, but the 2019 junior world champion crashed and broke his rear mechanism.
After lengthy repairs, the 21-year-old tried to finish the race with only one gear, but was timed out on the final lap.
"It was just a silly little crash," Aldridge said. "I slid out coming into the finish area on a grassy corner and snapped my mech. I had to run around to the pits. The mechanics did a great job but I got pulled. I'm pretty gutted."
Cannock Chase Country Park venue
Cannock Chase Forest which is designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will see thousands of additional visitors due to the games.
The action-packed mountain bike event will see riders fall in steep sections and ride uphill. The event was first introduced at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, which makes this the fifth time it is being contested.
England’s, Tom Pidcock, the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist will take part in the mountain bike event and remains a firm favourite to win gold.
The event starts on Wednesday August 3 at 11:30am.
Amazing county
The historic West Park in Wolverhampton will act as the starting and finishing point for the cycling time trail.
First opened in 1881, West Park held the Green Flag award for four years in a row and set the trend for public parks to have provision of areas specifically for sporting activities.
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council said: “The games will be a huge event for the region and we’re incredibly proud to be hosting two events - the men’s and women’s cycling time trials in the South of the county and the mountain bike in Cannock Chase.
“Both events will help showcase our amazing county to the world and a global audience.”