Corbin too strong in games scratch race

A dream result for cyclist Corbin Strong at his first Commonwealth Games.

Strong continued New Zealand’s strong showing at the veledrome with victory in the scratch race.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Strong and two others, John Archibald of Scotland and William Roberts of Wales had gone a lap ahead in the 15km race and it came down to a sprint on the final lap with the New Zealander grabbing the gold.

Fellow New Zealander Campbell Stewart finished seventh and George Jackson, who had earlier been involved in a crash in the heats, was tenth.

“It was a perfect race for me, it was pretty cagey, there were lots of attacks going and so in my first Comm Games and in my debut race to finish like this is awesome.”

Strong made his move just a third of the way through the race.

“Coming off the road I might not have had good track legs like some others and so I really wanted to ride aggressive and take it from the start and make it hard, Strong told Sky Sport.”

Stewart marvelled at Strong’s effort.

“He was strong, he raced it perfectly all day and so we made sure he was in the best place possible.

“He probably could have done it himself but it’s always better with teammates.”

Strong won the world championship points race in 2020 and Stewart knew he had what it took to win.

“We backed him all the way and while we had other options (Strong) was too strong and he deserved it.”

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

There was a massive crash in one of the heats with England’s Olympic champion Matt Walls one of three riders that needed hospital treatment.

Walls had been trying to avoid riders who had fallen in an incident that began on the entrance to the corner. The stricken pair of New Zealander George Jackson and Australia’s Josh Duffy were sliding up the banking, forcing Walls up on to the barrier and then over it into the crowd.

Jackson wasn’t badly hurt and was able to race the final.

“I just put some bandages on and got back out there, the adrenaline was pumping so I just went for it.”

The New Zealand track cycling team has now won nine medals including six gold.