Dowsett turns Tour de France anger into gold
RESURGENT cyclist Alex Dowsett insisted his time trial gold at the Commonwealth Games yesterday was inevitable after wrestling with the agony of missing out on Tour de France selection.
The 25-year-old trailed Australian Rohan Dennis by 5.92 seconds after the middle section of the 38.4km course before storming back to win by 9.30. England’s Dowsett, who won a Giro d’Italia stage in 2013, surpassed his efforts in Delhi four years ago where he returned home with silver.
And after failing to make the Tour de France with his Movistar team due to illness, Dowsett is adamant he was able to banish such disappointment by managing his frustration correctly.
“I’ve been angry this whole month and I pull something out of the bag when I’m really angry,” said Dowsett. “Everything came together and I was able to channel the disappointment in the right way. I had a point to prove to myself. I know I was worthy of that tour place although I don’t hold anything against my team for not taking me.”
Retiring Emma Pooley meanwhile, who will quit cycling after Sunday’s road race, claimed silver in her final time trial event after being denied gold by New Zealander Linda Villumsen. Despite the 31-year-old being ahead at all three intermediate splits, Villumsen replied with a powerful performance in the final 6km to seal the title.
“I was really happy to be on the podium,” said Pooley, who won Olympic silver in 2008. “Although when you come through and have the quickest time and then the only other person left beats you, then it’s disappointing.”
There was further joy later for England as lawn bowls trio Sophie Tolchard, Ellen Falkner and Sian Gordon clinched gold in the women’s triples at Kelvingrove, beating Australia 22-4 in the final.