GLASGOW: England’s Alex Dowsett and Linda Villumsen of New Zealand both went one better to win gold medals in the men’s and women’s cycling individual time-trials at the Commonwealth Games on Thursday.

Dowsett, second to David Millar four years ago, claimed Commonwealth gold in a closely-contested race through the streets and suburbs of Glasgow for England’s first gold medal in road cycling in 28 years since the Edinburgh 1986 Games.

“Nobody wanted that more than I did after the disappointment of not being picked for the Tour de France,” Team Movistar rider Dowsett, who won Commonwealth silver in New Delhi four years ago, said.

“I’ve been angry all this month, ever since I was a kid I have pulled something out of the bag when I have been really angry. It’s pretty special that.”

After earning silver at New Delhi in 2010 in the time trial and then having second-place finishes at the world championships over the past three years, Denmark-born Villumsen won gold in the women’s road race thanks to a strong finish.

“It is just incredible; it’s something I’ve worked hard for over the last four years now,” the 29-year-old, who was second in last year’s world championships, said.

“Every year at the Olympics or the world championships I am always nearly there but missing something. I came here thinking that it could happen again but today finally everything worked out from start to finish so I’m really happy.”

There was gold early on Thursday also for South Africa in the lawn bowls para open triples, defeating New Zealand 13-11 in the final at Kelvingrove.

It was the fourth lawn bowls gold to date for the South African team, the first time that has been achieved at a Commonwealth Games.

In field hockey England’s men moved through to a semi-final clash with champions Australia after a routine 3-1 win over Canada. The Australians were too good for Scotland winning 5-0

New Zealand ensured they finish top of Group ‘B’ by defeating Malaysia 6-1.

In diving in Edinburgh, Canada’s Roseline Filion and Pandelela Pamg of Malaysia finished on top in the preliminary session of the women’s 10m platform, which was being staged despite the fact all 12 competitors were guaranteed a place in the evening final.

On Wednesday, Olympic champions Kirani James, Greg Rutherford and Valerie Adams brought world-class performances to the Games.

Grenadian James lit up the Games with a devastating and graceful run to win gold in the men’s 400 metres and became the first man to win gold in the discipline at both Olympic and Commonwealth level.

Long jumper Rutherford of England jump 8.2 metres to back up his Olympic long jump gold in 2012 while New Zealand’s double Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams claimed her third Commonwealth gold medal with a throw of 19.88.

Canada’s Brianne Theisen-Eaton had little trouble in claiming the women’s heptathlon title while the Canadian team of Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion won gold in the women’s synchronised 10m platform, the first diving event at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.

Another Canadian Derek Drouin won the men’s high jump to add to his Olympic bronze.

Kenya swept the women’s 3000m steeplechase with Purity Cherotich Kirui leading home Milcah Chemos Cheywa and Joan Kipkemoi.

In gymnastics, Max Whitlock won gold in the men’s all-around individual gymnastics final to cap off a good day for England who also won two other golds in diving with Jack Laugher in the men’s 1m springboard while the women’s 3m synchronised springboard title went to Alicia Blagg and Rebecca Gallantree.

A day earlier, Benjamin Proud took the 50m freestyle to guide England to a record-equalling gold tally as the swimming event ended in thrilling style which also saw Canada’s Ryan Cochrane winning the 1,500m and Lauren Boyle of New Zealand winning the women’s 400 free.

England beat Australia to the men’s 4x100 relay crown in a Games-best time to snatch a 10th gold in the pool, mat­c­hing their best total from Manchester 2002.

On a memorable day for the home nations, Georgia Davies of Wales took gold in the 50m backstroke, emulating countrywoman Jazz Carlin’s success in the 800m freestyle.

Andrew Riley won the 110-metre hurdles gold on Tuesday to complement his team-mate Kemar Bailey-Cole’s 100-metre gold medal on the track at the Commonwealth Games, clinching both high-profile sprint races for Jamaica.

Jamaica’s women sped to a clean sweep of medals in the 400m, with Stephanie McPherson taking gold.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2014