Matthew Teggart has gone very close to taking a medal for Northern Ireland in the men's road race at the Commonwealth Games; placing 4th in the sprint for victory in Warwick.
The 26-year-old made the winning breakaway in the 160km race and was just beaten for a medal when the honours came down to a group sprint despite an aggressive finale.
New Zealand's Aaron Gate claimed the title, and collected his fourth gold medal of these Games having been one of the stars of the track racing in England before the road events got underway.
Gate - who rode for Irish teams An Post-CRC and EvoPro Racing at different times during his career - took victory today ahead of Daryl Impey of South Africa. Finn Crockett, the 23-year-old Scottish rider who competes with UK Continental team Ribble Weldtite, claimed the bronze medal.
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Then came Teggart, in 4th place, and while he just missed out on a medal he put in a performance he can be proud of today. Fred Wright (England) was 5th with Luke Plapp (Australia) in 6th, Ben Turner (England) in 7th and Geraint Thomas (Wales) in 8th place.
Aside from Teggart, Darren Rafferty was Northern Ireland's next best finisher; the 18-year-old finishing in the remains of the peloton some 8:39 down on the leading riders. Chris McGlinchey and Cameron Orr - who were at the Commonwealth Games to focus on MTB - also competed in the road race and both finished; in 39th and 52nd respectively.
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Gate, who has secured his place in Kiwi sporting history after an incredible week, had already taken gold in the individual pursuit, team pursuit and points race at these Games.
He claimed victory today after Thomas had put in a very brave bid for gold with an attack inside 2km to go. His move was pulled back by the England and Australia teams, though neither nation took a medal in the end.
Earlier today Alice Sharpe was Northern Ireland's sole representative in the women's road race; some 112km, also held in Warwick. After finishing 5th in the scratch race on the track last week, Sharpe was 15th today after the fight for the gold medal came down to a sprint from the remains of the peloton.
The gold medal was won by Georgia Baker of Australia from Neah Evans of Scotland, with Sarah Roy of Australia taking the bronze. Northern Ireland's Sharpe, the reigning Irish road race champion, was one of 24 riders to finish on the same time as winner Baker.
More to come.
