New Zealand cyclist Aaron Gate admits he had serious doubts about adding to his medal haul at the Commonwealth Games.
Gate became the first New Zealander to win four gold medals at a games after winning the road race in Birmingham over night.
Aaron Gate
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Gate edged South African Daryl Impey and Finn Crockett of Scotland to add another gold to his track medals in the team and individual pursuit, and the points race.
He joined a 15 strong breakaway, which included former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas of Wales, early on in the 160km race.
“Being the only New Zealander in the group, which included three Englishman, it allowed me to just sit on and not have to push the pace too much, said Gate on RNZ.
“Anytime someone went I had to try and follow because if three or four guys went up the road you’d never see them again.”
However it did take its toll.
“The last two laps of the race I was actually starting to cramp quite a lot and it was getting a bit touch and go with the legs but fortunately they came right and I was able to unleash a sprint at the finish.”
Gate says four gold medals is the culmination of a lot of hard work.
“My confidence just grew from event to event, but today I did think I was going into this event to help my teammates as I’d had my moment in the limelight and was just happy to do whatever it took to just get a kiwi on the top step of the podium.”
He admits the achievement of four gold medals at one games hasn’t really sunk in.
It’s a massive honour, it’s very prestigious and hopefully will be the standard and the challenge for kiwis in the future to try and break.
Gate now returns to his base in Europe to continue racing with the Black Spoke pro cycling team.
New Zealand remain fourth on the medal table with 48 medals including 19 gold.
Australia stay top with 66 gold medals and 174 in total, England have 55 gold and 166 in total and Canada have 26 gold and 91 in total.
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