Strathpeffer cyclist Finn Crockett on cloud nine after bronze medal for Scotland at Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
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For most athletes, when they get to the end of their event at a major international tournament there could be a sigh of relief at having finished.
For Finn Crockett, though, the end of the road race at the Commonwealth Games last weekend only brought more tension.
After former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas faded with half a kilometre to the finish line, a gold was any one of the leading pack’s to win.
That group included 22-year-old Strathpeffer cyclist Crockett, competing at his first Commonwealth Games.
New Zealand’s Aaron Gate finished first, followed by Daryl Impey from South Africa, but Crockett was among a trio of riders going for a bronze medal that was decided on a photo finish.
Thankfully for Crockett, he had crossed the line before closest rivals to earn a place on the podium, but that wait to find out only added to the drama of the moment.
“I had like two minutes of radio silence,” he explained.
“I knew I was in contention, and there’s a photo of me looking to my left when I see Matthew Teggart where I’m not sure if I got it.
“It was a horrible wait, but a couple of my mates from uni were with me and I didn’t know if I’d done it, but when we found out we went nuts.
“It was nice to be able to share the moment with family and friends as well.
“The road race can be a bit of a lottery. It’s not like other sports where it’s about times and you know what you’re going to get out of it, the road race is so unpredictable, there are so many variables that could happen.
“I went in with high hopes and backing myself, but to actually come away with something – especially with the competition in that field – was unreal.
“There were a lot of World Tour guys and professional riders in there, so to beat them was crazy.”
After finding his way on to the podium in Birmingham, there will be every reason for Crockett to believe he can go even better in four years time at the next Games.
For now, though, he can sit back and reflect with plenty of pride at getting a medal at a major competition in Scottish colours.
“There aren’t many opportunities to represent Scotland on that kind of stage,” Crockett reasoned.
“One-hundred per cent I would love to be back in four years. We’ll see what happens. For a nation like Scotland to get a female and a male on the podium in the road race is really special. We’re an up-and-coming nation in cycling – we’ve got some amazingly talented guys and girls coming up.
“To show that on a world stage and get the Scottish colours on the podium, it really does mean a lot. This is by far my biggest result, and I’m still young so I don’t really know how much further I can go. It’s really exciting.”
