BBC Three: Day 6: 14:00-19:00 Commonwealth Games

straight to the event itself. It is the men's cross-country. This is

what is happening. Over to the commentators.

COMMENTATOR: The weather does not know what to do here in Glasgow,

bright and sunny yesterday but today was the result to start then some

sunshine and one thing that has remained consistent is the windy

conditions. As you can see, significantly cooler than yesterday.

When the riders were taking on this course in training. It is been

fairly chilly as well. Some drizzle. Hopefully for this race the drizzle

will stay away because the course could become a little bit

treacherous given the amount of slate and rock on this very tricky

but extremely quick course. The Commonwealth flags, you can see how

wildly the wind is blowing. A number of horrible balls that could affect

the riders as they make their way around the Cathkin Braes course. The

stars lad has an extra 800 metres. In total it is 5.2 km after the

first lap. Seven laps of this track, taking them up to just under 40 km.

Broken Biscuits one of the significant segments, the Queen Mary

's drop and Braveheart is where it starts to get technical. The

majority of this course on a fairly slaty bed. Liam Killeen the only

rider who has previously got a medal in this, he is the defending

champion given this race did not happen in 2010. He took the gold

medal in 2006. Killeen hopeful of retaining that Crown for England.

medal in 2006. Killeen hopeful of retaining that Paul Oldham another

English rider in there. Cameron Ivory and Andy Blair representing

Australia. As we go further down the list. Kenta Gallagher one of the

36 riders taking part in the men's cross-country mountain biking. We

see the South African, the two Canadian riders, Grant Ferguson of

Scotland on the second line, with Paul Oldham of England. The two

Australian rioters, camera and cat Mac ivory and Andy Blair making up

the second line. Mac ivory and Andy Blair making up

the second Realistically it is likely to come from the first two

lines, where you will find your winner. -- Cameron Ivory. There is

the defending champion, Killeen. Remember, we have the 800 metres

loop to try and spread the riders out before we set to only seven laps

of the race. We kid really see a competitive race here. -- we could.

I am very excited about the mountain bike race, I walked around the

course yesterday, there are a lot of technical sections, they say it is

not one the most difficult, but we found it technical. It was technical

enough for us in our trainers, such is

enough for us in our trainers, such the high level of these riders.

Daniel McDonnell is ranked number four in the world rankings. The wind

is whipping around our commentary position. I had to do a flying save

just to keep my notes in place. After around half a lap, you tend to

get, what we will see for the remainder of the race. That is the

South African rider, number three, leading the way from the New

Zealander, Cooper. Very important to get off the start line into

position, they only had a short section before it goes into

single-track. Byers, the South African, he is the African champion,

very tall, six foot, two. We are on the big circuit now. The first big

drops appear when we get towards Propeller Point, the feeding

station. Not significant on the first lap, it will as time goes on.

You can see how narrow the track is, not too many places to get past your

competitors. Most of the overtaking happens on the climbs. The

significance of the course, they have sections with two or three

options, one being more technical than others. This is the first

drop-down. The camera does not do it justice. It is quite steep. The

first technical section we walked over, thinking it was speak. When we

got round to Braveheart, we thought that was just a starting point. The

South African, Byers leading the way from Cooper, the New Zealander, and

Plaxton, the Canadian in third. The Canadians have a great record in

cross-country mountain biking. They won the first-ever gold in

Manchester at the Commonwealth Games. It was the English dominating

four years later, with Killeen and Beckett. The wonderful views of the

city of Glasgow, the riders not yet half way round, but the field

beginning to spread out. McDonnell, one of the prerace favourites in

fifth place. Killeen down in ninth. This is the leader, Buys, 53rd in

the World Championships last September. Very much hoping to be in

the mix-up when it comes to the medals here. Already they have made

it down to your favourite section, Double Der. This is a thrilling

section, I would love to ride this myself. They tend to crossover. One

of the New Zealanders, the Australian. A popular place for

crossing over. Still Buys leading the way, as we stand. Cooper taking

some water on board already. Just sitting behind the leader. Plaxton

in there. Those are your leaders. Five riders who seem to have broken

away. Daniel McConnell, the Australian is one of them.

28-year-old from Melbourne, competing at the 2008 Olympics in

Beijing, the highest ranked rider in the field. Buys has made a good

start, holding onto the lead. Seven riders staying in touch of the

leading group. Coming into today, Daniel McConnell one of the

favourites alongside Killeen, they should be some of the riders in

their once they sort it all out. These riders have broken away from

the rest of the pellets on. I am not sure I can see Killeen in there,

that group of seven riders. We are led to believe he is in ninth place,

the defending champion from eight years ago. Dominating the

cross-country scene between 2008-2012 before losing to Grant

Ferguson here in 2013. There has been a big question mark over the

form of Liam Killeen. The two New Zealand riders going quite well.

Cooper is up there, Buys, there is number nine, Liam Killeen. No, that

is Paul Oldham. Killeen is wearing number one. Paul Oldham ranked 119,

36 years of age. He was for one year ago at the British Championships.

That is not necessarily a significant advantage for the

British riders, this course is very different from one year ago.

Australian riders going through hair. That was Andy Blair, and

Cameron Ivory. That is interesting, this is the

Queen Mary Drop, the majority taking the tough inside route. It is the

top circular bit that is really difficult. That is the tricky part

of the three options. If you start from the top, the middle looks too

difficult to navigate. Once you get past the first section, the middle

section is easier. We have seen riders taking the inside line, the

shortest line, perhaps the most difficult. It has developed into a

pretty tight race, plenty of riders in contention at the front from the

first couple of lines. Buys getting off to a terrific

start. This is Cooper and Gayes, now leading the way.

start. This is Cooper and Gayes, now from New Zealand, Buys from South

Africa slipping into third. A significant move from the Kiwis?

They are sticking together riding quite comfortably, getting a lead.

Applying pressure at the start of the race, interesting tactic, it is

a long race. Going quite hard. Philip Buys made a fabulous start,

the two New Zealanders can work together. There were seven riders in

the leading group, the New Zealanders have accelerated away

from nowhere. Opening up a significant gap between themselves

and Philip Buys, leading the chasing pack. New Zealand and nation who

have never medals before in the men's cross-country mountain

biking, only Canada and England have won medals. This could be a

significant move for the New Zealanders. This is the key moment,

Philip Buys leading the way, this is where the New Zealand pair came

through. Cooper and Gayes. He tried to respond, Buys. He gets taken by

the second rider as well. I'm able to respond, Cooper coming through

and taking advantage. The eight senior roles, Gayes, looking in

control, setting the pace. New Zealand mean business here. It has

been a really bright start from the New Zealanders, Cooper and Gayes.

Two seconds between them and the second group,.

Interesting to see if this is a tactic from the New Zealanders,

Cooper ranked 28, and Gayes 31st. It was not a good start for the

defending gold medal champion, Killeen. The set African, Buys

getting off to a great start. The two New Zealanders have since gone

past them. It is surprising how much ground you can lose getting a slow

start. Killeen did not get going. It was a different start, interesting

to see if he makes his way back up to the leaders. The New Zealanders

are applying pressure. They are coming through to Brigadoon, over to

Balderdash. It gets more technical to the Queen Mary Drop. For. This is

the leader, the Kiwi rider, Samuel Gaze, just 18, ranked 78th. Does a

lot of his trading on a road bike, that is interesting. First place at

the World Cup in Cairns. Interesting how the cardio crossover can work

between road and mountain bikes. We have seen a lot of good mountain

bikers train on the road. Very hard. There is no time for rest on this

course, it took us about three hours. I think the men will do it in

about 40 minutes. We checked out all the technical parts of the course.

Watching some of these athletes picking their lines, stopping to

discuss the best lines to take. Their equipment and where they will

apply the pressure. The New Zealanders have gone out hard,

looking comfortable, in control. Two riders who made the switch from

mountain and road biking, Cadel Evans and Chris Frome. He took part

in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, finishing 26, representing Ken yet.

Now a Tour de France winner. -- ten. He won five races at three levels in

2014, the World Cup when, that I was talking about in Cairns, that was

the highlight for him. He may be a teenager but he has shown

significant teenager but he has shown

World Cup and international level. Leading the way here. He has really

run down the two New Zealanders and the Canadian has got himself right

back into contention in the leading group of three. He looks comfortable

sitting on the back of the New Zealanders, there. We saw him taking

a drink, he is thinking about later in the race, it is important to get

fluid on board early. Lots of people wait until they are thirsty but it

is important to get in the fluid early in the race when you are

thinking about the business end. Gaze and Cooper from New Zealand and

the Canadian in there as well. He is ranked 51 in the world, 29 years of

age. He Sykes himself up by listening to iron maiden before

every race. He cites Wayne Gretzky as his sporting hero. He was third

at the Canadian championships last year. He has taken the lead from the

New Zealanders as we crossed the finish for the first time. He has a

strong track record in the mountain bike events. The second group coming

in behind. Montgomery and Ferguson getting a big cheer, the Scottish

riders. Philip Buys has dropped into sixth place. Killeen knows that he

has a lot of work to do to get himself onto the podium from third

successive Commonwealth Games. -- for a third. So, the first lab has

been completed, those are the top 12. Plaxton has ruined the party for

the Kiwis. Their game plan was to get a significant gap. We can see

the three behind the leading three, Scottish riders and the Australian,

closing the gap. We may see a group of six coming together in a moment.

Down towards Propeller Point, the first significant drop on the

course. The wind is whipping up around the commentary position and I

can feel some spots of rain again which could make it more interesting

given the amount of slee the areas on the course, particularly on Queen

Mary's Drop, dropping from cobbles onto cobbles. Plaxton Cooper and

Gaze are the front three. The weather has taken a turn for the

worse. The trees are nearly blowing over. The bad weather is rolling in

with black clouds everywhere, we could see heavy rain on the way.

Cooper in front from Plaxton and Gaze is in third. Liam Killeen at

the moment is nowhere to be seen, the English rider who got a podium

in 2002 and 2006. A bronze and gold. There is now a significant gap.

Plaxton is fending off the challenge of the two New Zealanders, Cooper

and Gaze, they are looking to get a medal for the first time in

cross-country mountain biking for New Zealand at the Commonwealth

Games. These three riders are taking turns to take on the head of the

group. Anton Cooper out in front for New Zealand, setting the pace. He

has had a disrupted year with illness. He rides for Cannondale

factory racing. Only 19 years of age. This is my favourite section of

the course. Plaxton edging off Gaze at the moment. Cooper is in the

lead. If this weather continues it is going to get significantly slippy

out there. You can see the aerial view of the Double Dare, hitting the

flat section. You can get a beautiful view of the City from this

section of the course. Glasgow City. Terrible news for the Northern Irish

today, Aitken has picked up a puncture going down Braveheart.

Roger Aitken as a puncture. And I can tell you that there is an awful

long way to go to the maintenance area. It is a front flat tyre for

Aitken. That is really bad luck for the rider from Northern Ireland. It

is bad enough trying to drag a rear flat around but it is significantly

harder to control the bike when the front is flat as a pancake which it

is therefore Aitken. The first real mechanical problem we have seen for

any of the riders on the mechanical problem we have seen for

you can see that visibility is getting much less now as the weather

draws in. -- for. The wind is certainly blowing, the tents are

blowing over everywhere. It is getting more challenging to the

competitors. -- for the competitors. Some of the spectators are

desperately trying to use their umbrellas for shelter. Yesterday it

was a glorious day in Glasgow, I am sure that one or two of the locals

will agree that this is a return to the normal weather conditions. There

is always a danger of course of this taking place. The riders will have

to cope with it of course, the wind and rain, in those segments where

the wind is a headwind, it will make it significantly tougher. This is

Plaxton who is still leading the way, the Canadian. You can see from

the camera, the way that the weather is really causing problems. The

Australian Dan McConnell is making his way back to the leaders. Not a

great start but he is still one of the favourites in this rates. He is

still one of the favourites in this rates. He's working his way back

into contention. The Scottish rider wearing 16, Gareth Montgomerie, he

attempted to qualify for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in road cycling

because mountain biking was not part of it. This is where it can get

sketchy, the cobbles. The leaders are making short work of that. The

three leaders took the inside, the most technical option on the Queen

Mary's Drop. The Australian took the safest way around. If he is on

format the Commonwealth Games he may be able to close the gap to get

among the race. It is taking a gamble to drop down on the cobbles

in these conditions but McConnell is now chasing down the group and the

gap is getting smaller. It looks as though he will get onto the back of

the group of three by the end of the lap. Yes, there is the gap that you

can see, it still looks like a sizeable one but it is significantly

smaller than it was a few moments ago. Plaxton the Canadian is

leading. And the two New Zealanders. Plaxton is leading. The New

Zealanders, though, are chasing him down. They can work together here

just to try to beat Plaxton, they will be eyeing up a potential

one-two. Plaxton will be looking to keep that tremendous Canadian record

intact. Roman Green of Canada when the first ever mountain bike medal

in 2002. The Canadian women have won the gold medal every time. When we

were out on the course yesterday we thought that some of the technical

parts were really nail-biting. And very difficult sections. But on the

world mountain bike level, this is quite an easy course. I do not think

easy is the word to describe it but it is more of a road riders type of

course. The technical parts are not as challenging as some of them. The

course of course was designed by one of the UCI's designers of courses.

That is his full-time job. He travels around the world to design

the courses. Lots of people are very happy with the circuit. It is up and

down the whole time. A beautiful location on the side of a mountain

which looks down on Glasgow City. Plaxton is leading the way. He is

just ahead of the New Zealand Cooper and you can see he is riding on the

lefty front fork. It always gets a few special locks. It is designed to

keep the weight down. A single front fork. It has been described by some

riders as the best suspension they have ever made. Speaking to some of

the mechanics before the race, they were talking about Dan McConnell's

bike, saying that he is one of the few using electronic gears. There

may be more but we were told that he was one of the few that chooses to

ride on the new electronic gears. By Shimano. It is amazing how the

mechanics of bikes are beginning to change, disc brakes on road bikes

and electric gears on mountain bikes and road bikes. We have been on

direct is for so long, we thought it would never change. -- derailleurs

for so long. McConnell is now the most likely to chase down the pack

of the Canadian Plaxton and the two New Zealanders. That is William

Kelly of Swaziland. He has had to dismount, there. Has he dropped his

chain? Maybe he was not in the right gear. He is having difficulties.

chain? Maybe he was not in the right years of age, the oldest rider in

the race. He is from Swaziland, he is the vice president of the cycling

Association of Swaziland. He began cycling in 2004 at 38. The say he is

a late comer is an understatement. -- to say. Credit to him, but he

looks to be struggling. Absolutely, we saw a moment ago that the leading

riders were coming through. Aitken had a front puncture but he is back

up and running. The rider from Northern Ireland. This is the

leading group, Max Plaxton is leading the way, looking to win the

gold medal for Canada. The Englishman won eight years ago.

Canada are returning with a vengeance, trying to get back the

gold again. They feel as though they belong on top of the podium when it

comes to mountain biking either in the men's or women's discipline. He

is opening up a slight gap now from Cooper and Gaze. He is flying, they

are definitely picking up the pace, trying to split it up and get away

so they can beat Dan McConnell but he has made his way back to the

three. After a slow start he is now back in the race for the gold medal.

He has won three races this year in the Australian season. He has good

form coming into this event. 42nd, disappointing finish in the World

Championships a year ago. The 2013 Australian cyclist of the year, and

he won the OCR near championships in March. -- OCR

Plenty of time still to come. It looks as though McConnell is gaining

by the second. We are looking at the man in sixth position. One of the

local riders, Gareth Montgomerie. The 31-year-old. He began riding at

the age of ten after a family day out on a hired mountain bike. It is

amazing how many stories are the same for the riders and how they

took up the sport. There are the four leaders. Max Plaxton and the

New Zealanders, and McConnell. Four riders here of course.

New Zealanders, and McConnell. Four riders They will stay together for

the majority of the ride. Chest taking the lead, Cooper. --

just. Some of the people are reluctant to ride a lefty from four,

but I can tell you you forget. Just checking what Claxton is up to. --

Plaxton. McConnell joining the group. Some riders have different

strengths, perhaps Dan McConnell didn't want to go to hard at the

start, there is the potential of hitting the wall. Maybe he wanted

sees into the first lap, getting himself into good position, he can

relax. He is one of the favourites, perhaps he may try to break away.

Plaxton down and forth now, but very little gap. It cheers as the

Scottish rider, Grant Ferguson comes through. 20 years of age, winning

the British cross-country Championships in July last year,

retaining the champion in Shropshire. He beat Liam Killeen,

who hasn't really featured here. Down in seventh place, work to do.

There are many question marks over his former, he has been at the top

of the game in mountain biking, this year we have not seen much from

him, a question mark over his form coming into the Commonwealth Games.

The New Zealanders are in fine form, they have come here with a strong

team. You saw him pretty close up, he almost clipped you out training.

I was looking the wrong way, studying the course, and he was

heading towards me at a real pace. I had to hug a tree, he just clipped

my shoulder. This is a tricky little climb. Up

towards the River Clyde Climb. Magnificent views over Glasgow,

thankfully with the rain easing we are able to see significantly more

of. Plaxton has to be careful he does not fall too far off the pace.

We come to Queen Mary's Drop. McConnell taking the outside line,

still keeping a significant lead from the two New Zealanders will

stop they both take the inside line. That is interesting, how much

quicker the inside line was. They were not able to pass Dan McConnell.

That is one of the more technical sections in the whole course will --

course. The slightly more safe option. Perhaps it does not take

that much longer, and you can get more speed to keep your momentum.

Again the camera does not really do it justice. When you look down from

the top, you think, I really don't want to falloff on that surface, it

will hurt. One athlete did come down yesterday, it did look difficult.

They seem to be riding down with no troubles today though, looking like

it is quite easy for them. McConnell leading the way, the 28-year-old

Australian from Melbourne, the Oceana champion. Confident of seeing

off the two New Zealand riders, Plaxton jess linking up with that

group again, he looked to Plaxton jess linking up with that

slipping away. Up he was the leader for a while, the 29 you rock

Canadian. He was 39th in the World Championships last year. Ranked 51

in the rankings. Number four, Cooper committee has been racing bikes ever

since could walk. He said he used to make trails on his own property. He

loves the aspect of the sport, building his own tracks will stop a

similar passion to the people who built this course, who spends time

flying around, and building a very fine course in Glasgow. Bad news for

Jersey. A pretty heavy it. Taking a while to fix his handlebars. Not

like road cycling where you have your mechanics following you, who

can adjust everything. You have to work things out for yourself. It is

like road cycling, the protection you have, unlike downhill mountain

biking, there is no protection. He is lucky to get to his feet. It is

McConnell leading the way, the Australian rider, from Cooper and

Gaze. Blackstone also in there. -- Plaxton also in there. He is riding

a Cannondale lefty. Interesting to see the four riders, in the mix for

the medals. In fifth place, Grant Ferguson of Scotland, ranked 59th in

the UCI rankings. 32nd in the under 23 championships last year,

improving, switching between mountain biking and road riding. The

time will come when he may need to choose whether to be a road or

mountain bike rider. He will have a tough decision, he is a good

climber. Supported originally by the Braveheart Fund. Then by the Olympic

development fund. He has a bright future ahead of him. 53 seconds

behind the leading group. Craig MacLean, has a couple of medals in

the bag on the track. His para sport athlete with him. Always in interest

from the other disciplines, when you love two wheels, you love two

wheels. Absolutely, great love two wheels, you love two

them out here. McConnell still leading, the Australian. Coming to

the sharp dirt climb, before they drop down into Brigadoon. McConnell

looking good after the slow, Conservatives start. Leaving himself

a lot of work. -- Conservatives start. All they can do to stick with

the Australian rider pulled is not -- Australian rider. This is one of

the most difficult sections of the course, we saw a lot of the women

coming out of the saddle their, a very steep section. No surprise to

see Dan McConnell putting the pressure on, he came into the race

as a clear favourite, Liam Killeen's name was on the start list

at the last minute, he is a big name in the sport. He broke his ankle in

2012, the Olympics, this is only his third race since London. This is the

rider from Swaziland. Beginning to struggle. As of yet, no riders

pulling out for being 80% behind the time of the leader. Some of these

climbs and technical parts have been a real struggle for some riders.

McConnell leading from Cooper of New Zealand in second place will. --

place. You saw Gaze coming out of the saddle, stretching his back.

Very early to be having a bit of pain in the back. Could be causing a

lack of power output. Getting dropped off this bunch. Early in the

race to be having discomfort in your lower back. Coming to the halfway

mark, that back pain bad news for the Kiwi, could be good news for

Grant Ferguson, trying to chase down the leading pack. He was some 50

seconds at the last time check. These four sticking together. At the

moment it is Gaze leaving. Plaxton sitting in fourth place. McConnell

and Plaxton salmon during the Kiwis. McConnell has spent a lot of time at

the front, interesting to see if he slips back for a while, taking a

rest. Just taking a drink, I am quite amazed how much they drink in

a two .5 hour race. Asking each other to do a bit of work, share it

around. Here is Grant Ferguson, the Scottish rider pulled out you can

see the clock ticking away. It was 53 seconds at the last checked. I

don't think he's made a lot of inroads into the gap. -- at the last

checked -- check. He has just last three seconds do that pack. The

leading group of four lookalike the riders, barring mechanicals, who

will compete for the medals. He said he was getting used to the big

crowds of the World Cups. All the attention around the mountain bike

scene of the world level, let's see if he is motivated by this crowd,

they are going crazy Eddie goes past the start and finish line. Plenty of

support for him and Montgomerie. In terms of time they are way off the

leading group of the Australian, the Canadian and the two New Zealanders.

They are looking to dominate the race. Three and a bit laps have been

done so far. There is still an awful long way to go for these four

riders. There is plenty that can happen. In cross-country mountain

biking in terms of the variables, a mistake, concentration, and

mechanical issues. We were amazed to hear the rules of the mechanical

mishaps, when you pass the mechanical station, there is only

one on the course, if you have passed it you need to continue with

your problem around the course until you can get mechanical assistance

but if you pass the tent, you cannot turn around and go back. A

retirement for the Kenyan man. We have seen one or two of the lower

ranked riders struggling. The race is over for Kabiro who has fallen

foul of the 80% time rule. It is harsh on the lower ranked riders.

They cannot afford to have a lapping situation which could cause problems

for the leading riders. They are on Double Dare, the section of the

course where the design of the circuit has designed this part of

the course, so there are two lanes that you can take, both of equal

speed. He has designed it to make them equal speed all the way to the

bottom. They will have an opportunity to pass each other. We

have not seen much passing on that particular. We have a significant

gap between the leading two. Plaxton, the Canadian, was in fourth

place for the majority of the previous lap and a half but he has

certainly taken up the pace. Here is Ferguson of Scotland. A great

incentive of him to keep going matter how tired he feels, the

adrenaline will kick in when he hears the roar of the home support.

He has had a good couple of years domestically in terms of the British

cross-country Championships, Liam Carling who has been the dominant

force in British cross-country. He is ahead of the British rider but

still a long way off the leading four. The hopes for Scotland are

fading, but if Ferguson and Montgomery can stay in there and

there is a mishap among the leading group then you never know because

there is a long way to go. Just over half way around the course. There is

Gareth Montgomerie, the team-mate of Ferguson. 31 years of age. And there

is Paul Oldham, the English rider, the 36-year-old from Burnley. He

made the podium at the British cross-country Championships ten days

ago, he rides for Hove factory racing. He has agonising memories of

Cathkin Braes. Just missing out at the British championships before

going one better and we can half ago. Plaxton is still on the front

of the leading four, driving the pace. He raced into thousand ace --

in 2008. He could not finish the race because of a knee injury. He

looks quite comfortable the front today. He has completed the majority

of this lap on the front. Plaxton from Cooper. Gaze very much attached

to the leading four. It must be motivating to the New Zealanders do

have two of them there, always do have a team-mate to communicate with

and motivate each other. Obviously they have spent some time together

so they know each other's capabilities. It must be quite

comforting to have your team-mate there. McConnell does not fancy

that, he has gone on the outside every time. He has edged into third

ahead of the New Zealander Gaze. Now Plaxton. It is interesting, there is

three choices but we rarely see anyone take the bigger one. When you

come to the entry of the three options, it is very difficult and it

gets easier after the first bit. In the middle one. But it is quite

intimidating when you are approaching it. You can see how

rough the middle option is and nobody likes to take it. It is just

too dangerous. You lose your momentum at the start of the drop.

On the inside you have the cobbles and on the cobbles it is the

quickest, shortest route, but it is potentially more dangerous than

going on the outside route which done McConnell has taken every lap.

It has not done him any harm because he is right in there, McConnell.

This is turning into an interesting race, if they can stay together for

the final lap this could be one of the most memorable mountain bike

races in the Commonwealth Games. The smallest winning margin in the

Commonwealth Games mountain bike race is 15 seconds when Ollie

Beckinsale was beaten into thousand six. -- in 2006. These riders will

probably wait until towards the end of the final lap to make a

significant move on the other three. Here is Plaxton putting in most of

the work at the moment, leading them through with Cooper in second place,

McConnell in third and Gaze in fourth. There could be a bit of

bluffing with the facial expressions here as well, they

bluffing with the facial expressions to think they are suffering or not

being so comfortable. to think they are suffering or not

happen at any moment, these are the to think they are suffering or not

four that are in with a chance. Plaxton is leading them through

coming you can see how close they are in the wooded area. They are

taking turns at the front of the group. Plaxton is getting out of the

saddle for a second to increase the cadence as he went through. Of

course a lot of mountain biking is to do with the significant cadence

on those climbs to get the bike up there. This is Ferguson of

Scotland, the best of the rest at the moment outside of the leading

four. Scotland are one of the countries that have started this

race with three men. That is the maximum capacity that you can have

in a mountain bike race. Along with the countries Kenya, Jersey and

Australia. Those are the four countries that have entered three

and that is the maximum number. All of the other countries have two or

one rider representing them. The gap between Samuel Gaze and Grant

Ferguson is significant. Around one minute at the last time split. They

have gone past the food section. Khumalo from Swaziland was

struggling, we saw him being signalled off the track because he

was below the 80% which is allowed. He is the rider that is off course.

The problem here as well, is that the Kenyan rider came off the

pedals. Causing a problem for the rider behind him and he clearly does

seem to be struggling, the Kenyan rider. I am no doubt -- I have no

doubt we will see him called off the race. That is what we have seen.

Plaxton from Cooper and McConnell and Gaze. That is the leading group.

They are cheering Ferguson, the Scottish rider in fifth place. One

minute and 25 seconds off the pace from Plaxton. The gap is getting

bigger between the leading four and the chasing Ferguson. These four are

potentially in the medals, gold, silver and bronze. It is still a

long way to the finish, but you suspect as we did before the race

started that these four will be in contention. Plaxton has spent a lot

of time out in front. Yes, back in fourth place for the large majority

of the second and third laps but he is setting the pace here now. Really

testing Gaze, McConnell and Cooper. The riders who are with him. Seeing

what they have left in the tank. As they make a tight turn around the

tree towards the Brig O'Doom. And of course there is Boulder Dash still

to come. For riders course there is Boulder Dash still

it is a straightforward role through on those 29 inch tyres. -- roll

through. Plaxton, then, from Cooper. Done McConnell just taking a drink

there. -- Daniel McConnell. Paul Oldham, the English rider. Going

through on Broken Biscuits. He has fallen off the course. He has to

re-enter exactly where he fell out. Again, a flat section in terms of

gradient but the Broken Biscuits can cause all kinds of problems.

Thankfully no broken limbs so far. It is a difficult part of the

circuit, lots of the riders are trying to pick their lines but it is

one of those things where you have do hope that the best because there

is no good line with rocks all over the place and there is no little

break to find a smooth run through. And of course the pace of these

riders, heading in around 23 K pH, and if you get anything wrong at

that pace you are going to hit the deck. Thankfully the 26 old Paul

Oldham was OK. The four leading riders are changing position,

different riders having some time out in front. Plaxton just robbing

back to fourth place now. No doubt there is a discussion going on as

can happen on the road. Plaxton saying, somebody else give it a go.

That is what Cooper has done. Anton Cooper from Christchurch in New

Zealand. Taking the lead. The under-19s world champion in 2012 in

Australia, the New Zealand mountain biker of the year in 2012. Still

only 19. A great future ahead of him. A great future ahead of him to

claim the gold medal in the cross-country mountain biking. Gaze

taking them across the line with three laps to go. 23 kilometres per

hour, the average speed of these riders as we approach the hour mark.

As they came across the start finish line we saw Gaze pouring water down

his back and front. It does not feel to world where we are sitting but

perhaps he wants to keep his core temperature cooled to use less

energy to go himself down. He has been feeling the heat out there. A

bit of a battle going on with the elements, some of the sunshine is

trying to break through the significant grey cloud up above,

let's hope that the sunshine wins the day. At the moment this is the

leading four. Certainly the rain has gone off now, the drizzle which was

threatening to make it awfully difficult in those rocky segments

for these riders. Given the wind conditions when we have a slight

smattering of rain it dries out pretty quickly as you can see from

the dust that is being thrown up. The leading four, this is developing

into a terrific race. It is a long way back to fifth placed Grant

Ferguson, the 20-year-old Scottish rider. Ranked 69 in the UCI world

rankings, heading towards the start finish line. It is a terrific

atmosphere, here, where the majority of the spectators are placed. Extra

bit of gusto when they're wearing the blue and white of Scotland. It

has been a day to forget for Liam Killeen, do take a miracle for the

32-year-old English rider to get a medal this time. -- it will take. He

was looking for his third successive medal. He was not on the original

build-up start list, a rather late entry, we were surprised to see him

on the list. A big-name, and very late entry. He has only raced three

races since 2012, and the Olympics. He has not really got the racing in

his legs. Perhaps this is the start of his preparation for Rio. There

was talk about him claiming a third medal, but privately he must've

realised he will not in contention. That often happens when athletes

know what their body has been through, the general public are not

aware of what they go through, so they don't have a realistic

expectation. He may be happy with his performance, and the start of

his comeback in preparation for the next Olympics. So very much a four

man race for gold in the men's cross-country mountain biking.

McConnell is back on the front. Had a forgettable World Championships,

but his form in Australia has been good. In terms of rankings, he is

fourth in the UCI rankings. Just a second between the front four.

Ferguson is a minute and a half back. Killeen over two minutes back.

Another retirement, Robert Barnes, who took a heavy fall. He was really

struggling, mightily disappointed. He is out. The 48-year-old, born in

Chelsea, England, competing in the men's's Road race. 48 years old,

competing, that is worth a medal in itself. The Scottish rider getting

unbelievable support from the local supporters, when he comes past the

start line, we get a deafening roar from the crowd. He is sticking with

it, he knows there is an almighty gap, and he knows that Killeen may

gain from sixth, the experienced rider. As I said at the start, the

only rider competing in the men or women's Gracie has previously won a

medal, eight years ago. It looks like Plaxton could be in trouble,

moving his body over like Plaxton could be in trouble,

handlebars, losing a bit of contact from the front three. Perhaps

McConnell is lifting the pace? The 20 H Road is the partner of Beth

Henderson, one of the stronger riders in the women's event.

Australia's mountain biking couple. McConnell has a much higher ranking

than any of these riders, Samuel Gaze in 78 place, Plaxton is 51,

Cooper is further down, and is an U19 champion. It depends on the

number of races they have competed in. Which side will Plaxton take?

The inside. He has been dropped, going to have to work hard to close

the gap. A touch of hesitancy, a little bit of travel on the front

wheel as he decided to go. That hesitancy has cost him a few

seconds, work to do, which could beat the Vixens if he uses up excess

energy trying to get back on the trail. Could have been a mental

lapse of concentration, very difficult to get back. In a section

like this, if he was strong enough, he should have been able to make it

back. Building up a lot of speed, he may feel he does not get back now,

he may not see those riders again. He has certainly upped his cadence

levels. I think he is closing the gap. Looking like he has put in a

lot of effort, back in the race for the medals. Four very nearly became

three, Max Plaxton doing well to work himself back into contention.

Looking like he was comfortable, may have been a lapse in concentration.

We saw the hesitation at Queen Mary's Drop. Mountain biking unlike

road racing, requires 100% concentration the whole time,

pressure on the pedals the whole time. Not many very moments in the

course to relax. He has just last contact again, physically he may be

in trouble. It is OK working hard, but if it takes more out of you...

Just out of his seat, stretching his back. Possible he's having back

trouble. Still it remains a four horse race, a real danger of it

becoming a three horse race, would be agonising for Max Plaxton. The

two New Zealanders holding on, they have been there right from the

start. McConnell making a significant move after a fairly

conservative start. It looks to significant move after a fairly

as if Max Plaxton is in trouble. Looking like he's struggling on the

technical sections. Maybe he is having a relaxing period, trying to

take a few deep breaths. Over the top of the tunnel section,

this is where the figure of eight crosses over. McConnell is leading,

one hour and six minutes, Cooper and Gaze behind, Max Plaxton further

back. Grant Ferguson, the local Scottish rider still holding on to

fifth place. Plenty of Saint Andrews flags around the course. When we see

those Scottish riders, Ferguson and Montgomery. We saw Killeen trying to

chase him down. He may have accepted the medals have gone, but nothing is

more inspiring to find extra power in your legs than a rider in front

of you. This was Oldham going off, sliding all over the place. He just

lost control of his front wheel. This is the rider from jersey, the

heaviest crash so far. The bike actually landing on him. The pedals

can do some damage. This was Robert Barnes of Jamaica, coming off down

Braveheart, he has since retired. He did not fall particularly hard. Do

not touch his arms in, rolling onto his back. Barnes can concentrate

not touch his arms in, rolling onto the road race on Sunday. We thought

they would be a few sketchy moments, and that there has been. We're

coming up to the time check. Ferguson is not giving up. Here it

is. Taking some air on his back wheel. It is mountain bike can treat

in Scotland, Fort William is a World Cup and World Championship downhill

venue. This is Max Plaxton. We can see him still in contact with the

front three. Seems to be in the most difficulty, but fighting hard to

stay in contention for medals. McConnell would be the rider who

will have the strength to finish this off, and claim the gold medal.

It would be Australia's first in mountain biking at the Commonwealth

Games. As we said, he is ranked fourth in the UCI rankings, also

second in the World Cup rankings. A pretty decent 2014 so far, I'm sure

he will be looking to top it off with a Commonwealth gold. Only

Canada and England have won medals in the mountain biking cross-country

event in the Commonwealth Games history. It was introduced in

Manchester, 2002, repeated in Melbourne, unfortunately never bent

in Delhi in 2010. Back here in 2014. This could develop into one of the

most memorable races. Killeen saw his countrymen by 15 seconds eight

years ago. Here is the Kenyan, his race is over, falling foul of the

82nd rule. -- 80 seconds rule. For some it seems like they are just

trying to get as far into the race as they could, just testing

themselves, he looked like he knew he would be pulled. All the riders

looking to take a drink. Some riders can go through ten bottles during a

race. You can see Cooper taking on some gel, not always the nicest

flavours. Very difficult to eat anything other than the gel. They

need to get in the consumption of energy. We can see Plaxton, very

often stretching his back out of the seat. They say the lower back in

cycling is one of the first things that fatigue is, apart from the

legs. -- that fatigues. He is certainly fidgeting around in his

seat. Even taking the chance to miss the odd pedal stroke. That does not

bode well for him. Still sticking in there. All cyclists have this

mentality, persistence overrides resistance. He will be trying to put

that pay into the back of his mind. He will be trying to block it out,

not think about it. Forget about his back. If the pain becomes a bit too

much, hard to forget about it. Seems like he is a bit reluctant on the

technical parts, that could be due to the back. We can see the New

Zealand rider, his number flapping around in the wind. They still pin

these numbers on. It is easy for a couple to fall out. If you are going

into your back pocket to get some food. It can be quite annoying to

listen to that and feel it flapping around. Even the smallest thing can

be really annoying. A lot of discussion about getting these

attached. For a rider, if you calculate how much time they spend

pinning numbers on, it can be significant. A lot of hours in the

season. Killeen in sixth place. Significantly behind Ferguson. The

Canadian just behind him in seventh. The story of the men's cross-country

is the four lead riders. Quite often in cross-country mountain biking the

field can get spread out significantly, they can be a big gap

between the top three positions. These four sticking together, this

could be one of the most memorable Commonwealth Games races of all

time. Down through Double Dare. Almost a collision there between Max

Plaxton and Gaze. I think Gaze took a bit of a liberty on Max Plaxton.

Still Cooper leading the way for New Zealand. Here are the latest

retirements. The race was over. He was another one of the riders who

was competing on Sunday. He was fourth at the Lesotho Championships

in July of last year and 15th in the African championships. He will be a

DNF at the Commonwealth Games. Plaxton in fourth. He is still

struggling a bit, on and off the back. Losing a few lengths. It is

difficult to understand what is happening but he seems to be OK. He

is fighting to keep in contact. It did not help that Gaze cut across

him on Double Dare. There was nothing to choose between the riders

but the smallest gaps. Plaxton is hanging there for all he's worth.

You never know, if he can clear up the pain he seems to be suffering

and get a second wind, maybe he can challenge again among the medal

positions. The next lap is going to be significant for Plaxton who is

using absolutely everything physically and mentally just to tag

onto the front three. The Australian done McConnell is trying to get to

the front, he wants to be in the lead. -- Daniel McConnell. He cannot

get around the New Zealand rider. We got a bit of a close-up on his

expression, Plaxton, and it looks as though he is in some sort of pain.

Other than the obvious pain that I think is acid build-up in the legs.

Cooper on the front. Plaxton is sitting back in fourth place. This

will not help him, the only really flat section of the course. Very

much at the top, the wonderful views over Glasgow. That gap looks to be

getting bigger? He has fought back a gap like that before. There is only

so many times you can do it. There we go. The Canadian, Plaxton, often

takes the inside, so he is not worrying about the practicalities of

that part of the course, taking the shorter most difficult route. He

took it much better that time. He lost concentration previously and

went down the middle section of that section which no one has taken

today. Plaxton in fourth. The gap is growing to the medal positions. He

will be aware of that and he is going to have to dig the peer. --

dig deep, here. As we get to the business end of the bike race, he is

going to have two get back, and he will have trouble, and this could be

the end. There will be a point where he gives up because it is too

difficult to keep closing the gap. Plaxton really is falling off the

front three. It looks like the lead group are catching the tail-enders

here which has sensibly pulled over to allow the leaders to go by.

Plaxton has not got to the tail yet. This is going to be very hard for

Plaxton to take. As he makes his way past James Patterson, the rider from

Jersey. Very sensibly he has shifted to one side to allow the leaders

through. It is getting tougher and tougher for Plaxton. We could have

the rarity here are the Commonwealth Games cross-country mountain biking

podium without a Canadian stood on it. That would be a first come

podium without a Canadian stood on will definitely be feeling the

pressure. He needs to close the gap will definitely be feeling the

to get back into a medal position. It is fantastic to see two New

Zealanders dominating the race with one Australian Daniel McConnell. He

will have to be nervous, having to riders from the same country? -- two

riders. A New Zealand sandwich for the Australian. New Zealand have

only got two medals before in mountain biking but that was in the

women's event in 2002, a silver for Suzy Bride. There has never been a

men's medallist from New Zealand in the cross-country mountain biking

but that will be about to change, but can McConnell spoil the party to

claim top place on the podium? It looks as though Plaxton may have

gained a bit of time back again on the front three. Those helicopter

shots are significant in giving us a better judgement of how far behind

years. He is not out of it completely yet, Plaxton. We saw the

New Zealand Gaze looking behind him. It is quite surprising for those

three. They are passing another rider over the Broken Biscuits, this

is a dangerous section. He may get caught behind here, yes, he is

struggling to get past. That is unfortunate for Plaxton. He does not

need that additional challenge because he has been riding off the

back of these three all day. It is going to cost him a couple of

seconds, being caught behind the tail-ender. He is three seconds

behind Cooper, the leader. He is splitting the Kiwis, McConnell, in

second. I am sure that the tail-enders we have seen going round

will probably be pulled off at the end of this lap. You can see the

problem is that the lapping riders can cause for the lead group. --

problems. Well, each of those three leaders took a drink them. -- then.

I am trying to check out the facial expressions but they all have a

poker face on, they are giving nothing away, the lead riders. Even

Plaxton who we think is physically struggling by the way he has held

himself on the bike and the shifting around of his seating position. It

would be a surprise if he throughout a heart attack, it seems as though

he has been struggling. You can see on the Double Dare that he may have

got a bit of motivation and that can happen when you are close to the

finish. Plaxton, that was on the previous lap. Close again. He really

likes that section. He is back in contention now, he has made contact

again, this is an exciting race, when you think he is out of the

race, he is back again. He has done really well, Plaxton, after we wrote

him off. He is right back in it. That is twice now that Gaze has come

across Plaxton on the Double Dare section, the Kiwi likes to change

his line whereas Plaxton stays to the outside. I am sure that will not

go down well with Plaxton. Here we come up to the final section which

was added to the course. Almost an endo. Still trying to stretch his

back out. If you get your body position too far forward even on the

slightest step down and you could be off your bike. Brig O'Doom, Plaxton

is sticking in there. Magnificent work from the Canadian rider. Still

it is Cooper from New Zealand who is leading from McConnell and Samuel

Gaze. There is nothing in it. The slight gap opens up from Plaxton. He

is teasing us! Getting himself back into contention, slipping off and

then pulling back. He is still there. He is making it very exciting

racing because it is pristine just to win a Commonwealth medal.

Everybody is wondering whether the Canadian will be on the podium. My

guess is that if he can hang on until he passes the start finish

line then he will be able to work through the pain barrier. It is

easier when you know you are close to the finish. You start to forget

about the pain and you think, if I can do this I can bring home the

gold medal for Canada. Once again. This really is developing into a

memorable race with four riders in contention for three medals, four

into three does not go, somebody is going to be mightily disappointed at

the end of this race. You can see the Australian Daniel McConnell, he

has a gel strapped to his drinks bottle, he wants to get that in. It

is right there. Sometimes it is easier than reaching into your back

pocket to get out a gel. McConnell, though, taking up the lead at the

moment. Number two from Australia ahead of Cooper and Gaze of New

Zealand and Plaxton. These are all riders from the first line at the

start. They are in contention. Lapping Ian Crist from Cyprus, one

of the tail-enders wearing 17. Another rider who is competing in

the road race on Sunday. This is the lead group coming round towards the

start finish line. One lap to go. 5.2 kilometres to decide gold,

silver and bronze between these four riders. It might be a long time

before we see a race this close again. In the cross-country mountain

biking at the Commonwealth Games. This is absolutely fantastic stuff.

After an hour and 25 minutes of racing, this is extremely close

racing. You would have thought we would have seen more attacks, it

seems as though the New Zealanders may be having a discussion there.

Plaxton is just sitting behind in fourth place. Will they be waiting

it out for the sprint, the long uphill sprint towards the finish? Or

will somebody make a significant move? The New Zealanders will no

doubt try to work together before going for it individually as we get

towards the end but the Australian McConnell leads the way and you

wonder if the higher ranked rider McConnell will perhaps try to break

away at some point. Ahead of these three riders before the final

sprint. We would have to expect from what we knew before the race that

that would happen from McConnell, being the outstanding favourite. He

goes to the front and maybe we will see him applying pressure. The first

of the drops on the final lap, past Propeller Point and the final feed

station. McConnell is leading from the two New Zealanders, Cooper and

Gaze, and Plaxton. They have been shuffling around in terms of who is

leading. Plaxton has been in fourth place for quite a while now. But he

has closed the significant gap which developed in the previous lap.

McConnell is the partner of Henderson, one of the Commonwealth

Games contenders in the women's game. A world-class mountain biker.

The men's and women's divisions, supporting each other in training,

both Australian national champions at cross-country. At the moment we

are heading towards a Commonwealth Games podium without the Canadian on

it. Unless Plaxton can do something about this. The gap is beginning to

build again from the front three to Plaxton. Perhaps he has eased off a

bit and will then give it one final push towards the end. The gap

between Plaxton and McConnell is significant, if he pulls it back it

will be for a minor position and McConnell is opening the gap now

between Gaze in second and Cooper in third. The Kiwi riders who are

looking to make history to be the first New Zealander to get a medal

at the Commonwealth Games mountain biking. All four riders now

together. McConnell, though, is holding onto the lead as we come

down Double Dare for the last time for these riders.

McConnell is leading the way. Plaxton takes the inside route.

McConnell goes down. He was not cut up by Samuel Gaze this time. Plaxton

has made a move on Double Dare and he has come into second place behind

McConnell. It was not long ago that we were writing him off but he is

now in second visit in and on the wheel of McConnell. When you get

that close to the finish you do not think about your back pain any more

and you start thinking about standing on the podium, that will be

going through the minds of the riders. Each of them once a gold

medal. -- wants it. We expected down McConnell to be on his own, being

the clear favourite. Plaxton slipping back down to third. A move

on the outside by Gaze. McConnell slipping down into second

place. New Zealand first and third, split by McConnell, the Australian.

We saw Cooper applying some pressure, out of the seat,

sprinting. Daniel McConnell trying to hold the wheel. He is going for

it, Cooper, we thought McConnell may make the move, McConnell looking to

stick with Cooper. Gaze going as well. It looks as if the pace has

got a bit too much for the Canadian, Max Plaxton. The move has not worked

for Cooper, McConnell has stuck with him. This could be a magnificent

ending to the race. I wonder if that was a team tactic between the New

Zealanders, applying pressure to down McConnell, letting him do the

hard work. Cooper out of the seat, making it difficult for McConnell.

McConnell in second place, Gaze is there. They are climbing up of the

Clyde Climb. Going down to Queen Mary's Drop. They have made short

work of it all. This is Cooper leading the whale. Claxton has

gone, the race is over for him. -- Plaxton. Note -- McConnell still

taking no chances, taking the outside line. Something tells me

down McConnell is in control, he looked over his shoulder. They have

made a move again, coming down Braveheart. Cooper applying the

pressure, trying to make it hard for Daniel McConnell. He looks like he

is happy in second position, you can keep tabs of both riders. -- he can

keep tabs on both riders. These will be three riders on the podium,

Cooper, McConnell, Gaze. Max Plaxton the unlucky rider, who has been

significantly dropped. He will be heartbroken in fourth. Going to miss

the podium. In which order will they finish? Given the rankings,

McConnell would be the favourite. Cooper really putting pressure on

the Australian. Really great to see, you can see Cooper is digging deep.

Giving it everything he possibly can. It looks as if he's happy to

fail, because he knows his team-mate is on the wheel of down McConnell.

Gaze looks happy to follow down McConnell. Maybe they are putting

pressure on him, making them work hard. Not too many places to try and

pass, as they make that final lung busting climb, that is where it gets

wider, and the fastest sprinter wins. Max Plaxton, he held on for a

long while, the medals have slipped out of reach. He was fighting hard.

You wonder how significant his back injury may have been.

You wonder how significant his back performance from Max Plaxton, looks

as if he's not going to be rewarded with a medal round his neck. What a

fabulous day we have had. This is going to be a race that will

fabulous day we have had. This is long in the memory. Three riders in

contention as we come to long in the memory. Three riders in

the final lap. Cooper of New Zealand in the White helmets leading from

McConnell of Australia. Gaze in the black helmet from New Zealand in

third. No mistakes now in this section. It looks like they may have

taken the pressure off the pedals, looking around to see where everyone

else was. As you say, not many places on the course... Just getting

the time check. The mechanical support section. This is where they

could stop for mechanical support. Once they are passed here, they will

hope they have no mechanical problems. Just under two kilometres

remaining to decide the medals, all three very much in the mix. The

southern hemisphere dominating, Cooper from New Zealand, McConnell

of Australia, Gaze of New Zealand in third. Cooper testing McConnell, so

heartily at -- so far he has had the answers. They are just waiting for

the part of the course where it is wide enough to get by. It is one of

the rare markers we saw get tangled up with the frontrunners at one

point. The rider from jersey to get pretty heavy fall, looks as if he

had a wound on the outside of his right needle is up James Patterson

being signalled in by the marshals. Shows how tough it is, this race.

Just finishing it is some achievement. With the 80% rule, they

have to finish each lap within 80% time of the lead rider. Very tough.

Especially when the leaders are rising so fast. All the

photographers are moving into position on the finish line as the

three lead riders make their way around. Cooper, McConnell, Gaze is

the order in the men's cross-country mountain bike race. This has been

fantastic. Samuel Gaze looks quite comfortable. They are waiting for

the course to open up after the last technical section. A sharp drop

followed by another climb in the Brigadoon. We come past Balderdash,

before the uphill finish. As soon as this opens up, we will see who has

got the best legs, who is feeling the best. Amazing this race has been

so close over one hour, 36 minutes. All still in contention. 15

seconds, the closest mountain bike race ever. An English, one, two. We

will probably have three riders in that time frame. The New Zealanders

have been there right from the start, McConnell went

conservatively, got himself involved after that. In what order they will

finish, anyone's guess. It is going right to the line. Cooper has been

at the front for the majority right to the line. Cooper has been

last lap, it looks as if he may have done that to benefit his team-mate,

Gaze. Just checking to see where they are. Perhaps they did not

realise how far Max Plaxton had dropped off the pace. A little bit

of cat and mouse going on. Looking behind to make sure there are no

more riders, tightening their shoes. The sprint is coming up, doesn't

often happen in cross-country mountain biking, but we will have a

sprint for the finish. Looking to get a little bit this under his

tongue, looks like Coca-Cola. Something very rare, you don't see

that often. tongue, looks like Coca-Cola.

Something very rare, you Here is the attack. Cooper has gone for it,

accelerating away from McConnell. Gaze has gone past them. It will be

a New Zealand one, two. McConnell will have to settle for the bronze

medal. Anton Cooper racing for gold. A sprint finish, hate magnificent

race, a one, two for New Zealand. Look what it means for Anton Cooper

as he crosses the line ahead of his team-mate, Samuel Gaze. Daniel

McConnell settling for the bronze. The highest ranked rider in the

race. Ten second separating them. Anton Cooper claims New Zealand's

first ever Commonwealth gold medal in mountain biking. You can see what

it means to him, fantastic performance. Didn't he have some

power left at the finish? He was leaving for the majority, sprinting

at some points around the back of the course. A phenomenal performance

from the 19-year-old from New Zealand. A sporting tap from

McConnell, you fancy his chances, but the realisation that that the

youngster had on him, he realised the gold and the silver had gone.

The realisation that the legs that the youngster. He has seen off the

number for man in the UCI world rankings. Definitely showing

potential to move into the top five in the world. That was a phenomenal

performance. Didn't he have some power at the finish? He is so

happy, and so he should be, well deserved. Its friends, family,

girlfriend or there to congratulate him on the most memorable day of his

career so far. To enjoy it with him, Samuel Gaze, his team-mate, A1, two

for a team that had never medal before in cross-country mountain

biking. They have smashed the podium with gold and silver. A bitter

Commonwealth Games history, Canadians on the podium. A big day

for New Zealand mountain biking. Two more medals for their tally in the

Commonwealth Games. Whatever he goes on to achieve, Anton Cooper will

remember this moment, the day he beat Daniel McConnell, claiming

gold. They worked it well between them? Payday. They must be feeling

very good, to have two New Zealanders there, working so hard.

Especially Cooper on the last lap. Perhaps it was an off day for Dan

McConnell. The roars are for Dan -- Grant Ferguson. He is milking this

from the crowd! The 22-year-old who won the British Championships one

year ago, unable to get amongst the medals, a creditable fifth place

finish. Not a bad performance from Killeen, coming in in sixth. He came

back strong, to bring back some of that time. Very possible he is

starting his preparations for the next Olympics. He is 32, potentially

could be his last Commonwealth Games. A medallist on his previous

two appearances, bronze in 2002, gold in 2006. A top six finish. Does

not podium this time. Let's take a look at that horrific finish, that

was the moment where he won it. A magnificent piece of exhilaration,

the other two could not respond. Gaze was behind McConnell, he was

happy for himself and his team-mate when he crossed the line. A

happy for himself and his team-mate when he crossed the line. A good day

for the New Zealanders. A fabulous day. Confirmation of the lower

places. Max Plaxton coming in fourth in the end. We think he was

struggling a bit. This is another of the Canadian hopefuls, did not

really get going today. As to be content with seventh position, he

was third at the American Championships in March. Never really

getting himself involved in the battle for the major positions.

STUDIO: What a great watch, who would have thought that the Broken

Biscuits could be so treacherous? New Zealand getting first and second

place in a race that was dominated by Oceania. Australia in third with

Scotland coming in fifth. And a sixth place finish for Killeen of

England. If that has inspired you to take up mountain biking, then go to

the Get Inspired website. Details of local clubs can be found there along

with trails in your area if you want to have a go. There is plenty more

coming your way on BBC Three with more coverage from Glasgow 2014.

Don't go too far, we are breaking for the news. We will see you

shortly. MUSIC: "Changing"

by Sigma feat. Paloma Faith We get you closer

to the best live comedy, for the news. We will see you

shortly. Back to Glasgow

after a quick update on Three. A gold medal winner at

the Games has failed a drugs test. The 16-year-old is the first athlete

to test positive in Glasgow. Six-week-old Alfie Sullock from

Cardiff was beaten with a shoe and Today Michael Pearce was

found guilty of manslaughter. Israel's intensified

its bombardment of Gaza. It says it was targeting Hamas

militants. Palestinian officials say

at least a hundred people were Cricket's governing body has stopped

Moeen Ali from wearing pro-Gaza England didn't think he

was doing anything wrong. Fans of The Hobbit have been

surprised with a first look A trailer for The Battle of the Five

Armies has been shown at Comic Con. More from us later -

right now back to Manish Yeah, I am looking for

a Prince Charming. I don't think I'm ugly, but I don't

think I'm, like, really pretty. I say, "You've got something

on your bum." "Really?" And I say, Hello there, welcome back to Pacific

Quay for live coverage of Glasgow 2014. The 20th Commonwealth Games,

of course. Let's head to the Barry Buddon Shooting Centre where the

competitors are literally targeting a medal. In terms of the home

nations in the men's trap, England are the main challengers, with

strong contenders from India and Australia. Here is a quick guide as

to what you need to know about the sport. Shotgun requires competitors

to fire at moving targets, discs called Clays which are actually made

of pitch and chalk. They are launched from the trap. Targets are

released on or after the command from the shooter and a hit is

declared when one visible piece of clay falls from the target. Targets

are 11 centimetres in diameter and travel at 60 mph. In all events the

shooter has to be standing with both hands supporting the gun. In Glasgow

there are three separate shotgun events, Skeet, trap and double trap.

In Skeet, one or two clays launched, and in the trap event shooters fire

at single Clays. They get two shots per target in qualification but only

one in the final. In double trap they stand 50 metres away while two

are launched simultaneously and the shooters have one shot at each clay.

In all events the top six and vans from qualification to the

semifinals. -- ad farms. -- advance. Today it was England

against Australia, the commentary on the golden shoot out comes from

Richard Drury. COMMENTATOR: It is now time for Adam Vella of Australia

and Adam heading of England to do battle for the gold medal. Adam

Vella doing a practice swing. A cheer from the crowd for these two

fears competitors. -- fierce. Heading is the defending

Commonwealth champion and Adam Vella having won a silver medal at the

Commonwealth Games in Manchester, so both of them are top-level shooters.

The Australian is underway and he takes the first target of the gold

medal match. Now Aaron Heading. It is one apiece. 14 to go. This is the

battle for the gold medal in the men's trap. The final event of the

clay target competition at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Two

from two. And Heading drops one. Already there is a gap. Now Vella is

becoming very polished in the single barrel format as he demonstrated in

the semifinal. Now he has been given the order to start, so he already

holds a one target lead. Aaron Heading now is trying to put the

miss out of his mind as he locks in. That was a good, long

follow-through. Just a 1-shot lead at the moment for Adam Vella. A one

target lead for Vella. He has been given the order to start. A set

routine. Preparing for the target. And he takes it. Aaron Heading. He

drops another target. He is claiming a hit. A protest by Aaron Heading.

Now, the referee is going to confer with one of the Czech referees. --

check. We have a replay. It is difficult to see from that whether

there was a piece from it. But... It has been given as indeed a missed

target. So, the replay did not show anything obvious. It is indeed now a

two target lead for Vella. And he charges on now to be five from five.

So it is now difficult for Heading to get himself back in the groove.

But still anything can happen with ten targets remaining. Just the

slightest hiccup from Vella and it could be evened up again. So, the

start time for Tamil' -- for Vella. Vella continuing, six from six.

Heading is two down. And he drops another target, so his gold medal is

living away from him. He is guaranteed a silver medal. Now three

targets in arrears. Vella is a very smooth performer in the single

barrel format. And he's showing it yet again. Seven from seven for

Vella. Heading is now four from seven. Three targets behind. It

would seem very difficult to claw that back, even if Vella misses a

couple. Based on the form so far it is unlikely that Vella will miss

three. Even less likely now with that confident shot. Great timing

from Vella. He shot them all in the semifinal, 15 from 15, and he is set

to repeat that in this gold medal match. Vella is waiting for the

order to start. Adam Vella now, he is set. And another one to the

tally. Heading still has a three shot deficit. Vella now needs four

more to lock this up. Vella got a silver medal in Manchester. And this

is the gold medal, individual gold, that he is wanting, as he misses his

first target. Not happy. Now Aaron Heading may get a sniff of a chance

but he, too, misses another so the margin remains unchanged. So Vella

has won pairs gold but not individual gold in the Commonwealth

Games. And another. That is what the pressure of this format does. So,

Heading is still two down. But he is now in with a chance if Vella cannot

compose himself. Two targets is the margin. Vella is giving away a

substantial lead that he had by missing two in a row. He now has two

compose himself. The anticipation of what lies at the end of this, he has

two put that out of his mind. He drops three in a row. So, this is

what this competition does. Heading now is just one behind but no, he

drops another one. Both of them are buckling under the pressure. What an

extraordinary end, just as it looked as though Vella was going to cruise

to 15 out of 15, he misses three in a row. Two targets is the margin.

Three targets remaining. Vella has two secure himself this time. And he

takes it. He now needs just one more to lock it up. Two targets is the

margin. Vella now needs one more. And he has the gold medal. One more

target for Vella. I do not know whether he knows the maths. That is

anyone's guess. He has got it. That is the gold medal for Adam Vella. As

Aaron Heading prepares to shoot. To finish the gold medal match. Just

one target remaining, but the result is already clear. The crowd just

pausing now to let this match conclude. Adam Vella is ready to

fire his last shot. The last target of the competition. And he misses it

but it does not matter. We are now waiting for Aaron Heading to shoot

his last target. And they both miss, so there it is, Adam Vella of

Australia wins the gold medal in the men's trap. Celebrated their with

his coach and team-mate Michael Diamond. It is silver for Aaron

Heading of England, a topsy-turvy gold medal match. Targets dropped in

allsorts of places, but in the end it was Adam Vella who followed it

through with a remarkable single barrel form which he has developed

in recent years. What a thrill that the crowd has been treated to. He

did it the hard way. He was set to shoot a very clean and 15 from 15,

but did it the hard way as the nerves got the better of him. He at

last has that individual gold medal of the Commonwealth Games, something

he has been pursuing for a long time. There is the national coach. A

victory clinched to the camera. What a thrill it has been.

ANNOUNCER: The winner of the bronze medal, representing India, Sandhu. A

man who dominated the qualifying, faltered during the semifinal.

The winner of the silver medal, representing England, Aaron

Heading. APPLAUSE Aaron won the gold medal in Delhi.

This time, the silver. Sir Jackie Stewart presenting the medal, he

shot for his country on many occasions.

The gold-medallist, and Commonwealth champion, representing Australia,

Adam Vella. APPLAUSE Adam Vella has been pursuing that

individual Commonwealth Games medal for many years. He got a silver in

Manchester. This time, the gold. And what a thrill to have it presented

by Sir Jackie Stewart. Ladies and gentlemen, the national

anthem of Australia. And that concludes the higher target

competition here. Staying at the Barry Buddon range, it is the last

day of the shooting, plenty of medals up for grabs for the eventual

winners. Next up, the 50-metre rifle, the small bore shooting. Here

is a quick guide to help you out. In Glasgow, there are three rifle

events each for men and women. Ten-metre, 50-metre prone and

50-metre three positions. All events are held on a shooting range, and at

each competitors have a set time to fire a set number of bullets at

electronic targets. Each target features ten concentric circles with

scores from one to ten. In the ten-metre event, the shooters remain

standing at all times and use both arms to support the gun.

50-metre prone, competitors have to lie on the fronts while shooting at

the target. In the 50-metre three positions event, they have to fire

at the target while standing, kneeling and lying prone. In all

right for events, the top eight from the qualification round go through

to the finals. Well, believe it or not the home nations are looking

good for a medal here. Both England and Scotland are occupying the top

four positions, which is a bit of a surprise. Let's find out how they

got on. COMMENTATOR: Still 3.8 ahead, Daniel

Rivers, a really decent cushion, as long as he keeps it steady.

Some of them that we would have thought to be near the top, like

Narang, not where they would want to be. But still time. No wonder the

Scots are smiling. That was a really outstanding set of shots in that

series from both Stourton and Hammond.

Here we go again, the clock ticks down from two minutes 30 seconds.

150 seconds. Rivers in the ten Moore. 10.6 from Hammond. 10.8. The

Scots are on fire. Stourton with a 10.8. Absolutely fabulous. We have

had another ten point nine. This time from Rajpu. -- Rajput. Hammond

with some really good groupings. 10.1 from Stirton, not a disaster.

Rivers with a 10.2, the best so far. That is OK, just looking for

consistency here. He has made that bit of open water between him and

the rest and just needs to be consistent, really, the youngster.

He says he wants to challenge for a medal here. He has got a bronze, he

could well have another here, sets itself up very nicely as he heads

towards the Olympics. A couple of tens. 9.2, though. Look at the

grouping here. A picture of concentration there. They shot

three, less than a minute to go, in 9.9 from Hammond to stop here's

Rajput. He shot his five and will be pretty happy with what he has got.

10.9 and a 10.6. Excellent stuff. That was another encouraging series.

Started macro with another shot, it was a 10.2, and that is a lovely

finish. Yes, solid from the Scots. Rivers's lead at the top has been

slightly reduced. Nothing other than a decent, solid and sometimes

spectacular ten. Hammond into fourth place. -- Stam and -- Hammond into

second place. Proving to be an exciting final. Think how slow and

easy paced the qualification was. So, we have one more set in the

prone before we had towards standing, and towards elimination.

The Indian coach, always animated, always wearing those shades, as

well. Yes, even indoors. It is still breezy. This will be tricky for

these shooters, as we get ready to go again with another two minutes 30

seconds. Close at the top, close at the bottom.

Those big monitors in front of them, they can see how everyone else is

doing, if they so desire. 10.84 Rajput. -- 10.8 four Rajput. Good

first shot for all of the athletes, tends all around. Even if he was

solidly shooting 10.3, it is better than going up and down. Rivers, the

leader, all with a 10.1. Needs to start putting some big shots in,

just to maintain that lead. 10.5 will do very nicely, thank you very

much. Solid from Dan. Hammond, a silver-medallist in Delhi, second

place, silver medal place here as well. Ten from stout and macro. A

10.7 from Sampson, the Australian is shooting very well. -- from Stirton.

That is a bit further away from grouping, Hammond. Kenneth Parr has

had two excellent shops, and a real horror. What can he do next? Can he

regroup a shack read either excellent shots. You can just see

his eye moving. Watching these wind flags in front of him. These fans in

front of us literally on the edge of their seats, leaning forward, all

taking note of what is going on. 10.7. Good shot. You can kind of

figured a 9.41 you have two 10.7s. All in the tens. Moving up in the

sixth. As always, waiting for a couple. Rajput still has one to go.

Hammond with a 10.1. Stirton's last shot was a 10.6. We have just over

20 seconds. 10.3. Again, excellent shooting from a very high quality

field. 1.2 is the difference between the two enlistment, Dan Rivers and

Kenneth Parr. Sampson is the man who has to worry. Quite a bit behind

Mohammad Qaddafi Jafar. Just waiting for the command to start from the

He has a stopwatch. For the next competition series, load, start get

yourself sixth or above and lived to start and fight another

Hammond and Stirton started poorly. 10.4 the Dan Rivers. The English

dance like that. The Indian takes a while but gets a 9.2 away. The guys

will be looking to keep it within the nine and then hitting the odd

occasional ten as well. 10.4 the Dan Rivers. The English

dance like Anything less than that, 10.4 the Dan Rivers. The English

dance like that. The they will be disappointed. Quite a lot of time to

get these five shots away. It will get tighter and tighter -- the

English fans like that. Kenneth Parr has shot an 8.4. He will be

disappointed with that on the far side. Still in second place at the

moment, but it is all very, very tight. You can see how breezy it is

in the finals all is well, the number on Kenneth Parr's back

fluttering in the win there. It is not just the effect of the bullets

downrange, also the effect of the wind on the shoot himself. It can

actually bus at you and that will have a huge effect on your

stability. -- it can buff at you. Niall Stourton not shooting well at

the moment. Hammond has landed a ten. -- Neil Stirton.

What can he do with his fourth shot? You can see has steadied that

is. A small amount of sway and waiting for it to stabilise and then

the shot goes. This is a man who always takes his time.

That is better, keep it solid. He is up into bronze medal position.

Rajput has gone into second place and Scotland fourth and sixth.

Rivers is still top of the pile. That is OK. I think he is still safe

at the moment. It is changing all the time. Still a

couple to shoot, Hammond. And we are all done. I think Hammond still has

one to shoot, I really do. He is doing the right thing. He knows he

has time. Hammond, it looked like he was not happy with his 8.7 shot, he

was just practising basically, getting himself centred again. That

man will know what is going on, that he is ahead. At the bottom, Sampson

and Jeff -- Jaafar. They need a couple of solid shots in the next

series of five shots. They are in danger of being eliminated unless

they do something special. Two people will leave after these

five shots. Four minutes left on this. Sampson and Jaafar are in the

drop zone. We will keep an eye on how they are doing.

We do not want the Scots the first to be go out for the home crowd.

Jaafar, he has dropped even further behind. It is close between seventh

and eighth position. Rivers, so really going ahead. He is having a

solid final. He seems calm and in control. That is what you want in

high-pressure situations. 10.7. It is a dream final for the youngster

so far. You can see the emotion on his face, he is so controlled. This

man is always a picture of calmness, Narang. That is really good. 10.5,

10.2. Rajput has a poor first shot but good recovery. Exhaling breath.

9.3 is not his normal comfort zone. He will be looking for the ten. And

a shake their head from Sampson, still in the drop zone. Still about

1.4 behind Kenneth Parr. Stirton, of Scotland. 8.8, his last shot, all

over the place. 9.8 is better. 10.6 from Daniel Rivers, that is

excellent. The 8.6 is an aberration, which you can forgive when he is

shooting so well. Yes, it evens out. Moran, a couple shockers towards the

end. -- Narang. That will not help him. Sampson and Jaafar, they look

like the most likely to take the walk early on.

Narang, he has over a minute to get the last shot away.

Sampson has not shot well enough to stay in. Bottom at the moment. 10.1

is decent, but not good enough. Sampson and Jaafar, seventh and

eighth, they will be eliminated. He was fourth yesterday in the prone

and hoped for a medal today. Eighth in the air rifle and eighth here. He

made the finals, but not a medal. It is a good effort, but he will be

disappointed with low finishes in the finals.

Again, just gave himself too much to do but he made the final, qualifying

eighth and finishing seventh. The man from the Royal Malaysia police

will have to leave his rifle fair, in a safe position. We head back to

the final six. Rivers still ahead. He is stretching out a commanding

lead. With five shots left, if he keeps it in control, it will be

difficult to bring back that lead. Perhaps a new superstar on the

shooting scene. One shocked. Kenneth Parr -- shot. Kenneth Parr. Stirton

with a 10.3. That is a good shot. What can Kenneth Parr do?

Rivers with a 9.7. Rajput with a Kenneth Parr, 8.3. He has dropped.

Kenneth Parr is the man who has to go, that is how brutal this

competition is. One shot and it can all change. Bronze in the 50 metre

rifle prone yesterday and qualified third here, but he will not get a

medal, he has to settle for sixth place. Once again, India's second

and third. Scotland are now in the danger zone. Jonathan Hammond got

silver in Delhi, but he could be the next to go. Hammond will have to

shoot out of his skin and hope that Stirton stumbles. 50 seconds, one

shot. And here comes the clapping. Stirton, 8.8. Hammond needs a big

shot. 9.5. Is it enough? 10.0 from Dan Rivers, he is really taking

control. Hammond, a 9.9 or above would have done it. It was a low

shot from Stirton, which left the door open for Hammond, but he could

not do it. APPLAUSE listen to the reception is the John Hammond.

He has to settle for fifth place. Now we decide who will have a medal.

You do not want fourth place. You do not, but it is looking clearer.

Stirton, a tough ask. But at the top, quite a gap for Dan Rivers.

Neil Stirton needs a huge shot. Rajput needs to have a meltdown if

the Scot is to progress into the medal shoot out. 9.6, he knows that

will not be enough. Ten from Rajput, more than enough. Rivers with a 9.9.

In fourth, the Scot has to go. The home crowd will be disappointed

because they were hoping for a medal, but it is not to be. The man

eliminated in fourth place, so close, so far. Everyone applauding

an excellent performance from Stirton. We know the medals, we now

have to work out what colour it will be. It is a guaranteed medal for

England. Rivers, he has been shooting well all the way through.

He wobbled with a 9.7, ten, nine .9, but he has done enough work, early

on. This last shot will be important for the silver medal. 0.8 between

the two Indians. In effect, the two Indians will be

looking for a shoot out, for the bronze and he stays on for the gold

and silver shoot out. Narang, 9.1, dropping down into

third place. There was a swing in fortune. A smile from the veteran.

Silver yesterday in the 50 metres rifle prone. He looked on course for

a silver, but that was a poor shot, just when he did not want it. This

is looking very good for Daniel Rivers. The gap is 5.2. Barring any

thing major, it is almost a dead cert.

One shot between Dan Rivers, of England, and Rajput of India, really

tense. Surely a formality. 10.4! What a way

to finish! What a reaction from the English man. The English fans are

absolutely delirious. Why not? What a vinyl. He was ahead all the way

through. The 24-year-old takes the gold medal for England -- what a

final. That was fantastic. What an achievement. That is his girlfriend.

She will be so happy for him. Tears of joy for Dan Rivers. The Indians

take silver and bronze, but England, with Daniel Rivers, a head from the

start. He kept his composure. Kenneth Parr celebrates with him. He

has the bronze medal himself -- a bronze medal himself. What a

reception from the fans and from the shooters. 20th yesterday in the

rifle prone in the 50 metres, but a second medal. It is gold.

Dan Rivers, thirsty work, you have just had a slug of water. I don't

know what to say. Earlier in the week, getting bronze in the air

rifle. You know, it had come early, I didn't realise... I wasn't ready

for that. Now I have had that feeling before, one into the final.

I felt a lot steadier throughout the final there. More calm and just

absolutely smashed it again. Get in! So the bronze medal earlier, that

kind of calm Jew down and got you to a place where you knew what you had

to do? Going -- calmed you down. Running through that in the air

rifle, it just prepared me for coming out. I felt calm, I felt

ready. Did my thing. Took me through all the way. This is a bit like the

ready. Did my thing. Took me through all the way. This is a bit triathlon

of rifle shooting. Three different disciplines. This is the marathon,

we call it. It is a hard day. Two and a half hours of shooting in

three different positions. So it does technically take the best guys

to really get to the top. I qualified in first, I was really,

really pleased with that, there is some solid standing. Now obviously

to back it up in the final, that is always the pressure moment. You

don't want to qualify first and go out last in the final, it is or is

the worst way to do it. To come out first and then take gold, it is

amazing. Dan Rivers, Commonwealth champion, and literally last man

standing, great stuff. Very well to Daniel Rivers and his

gold for England at the shooting. Maybe one day my face might be up

there? Who knows. Let's get our first games of wrestling at the SECC

just behind the armadillo over my shoulder. One of the more

traditional sports on view here at the Commonwealth Games, started by

that reckoning of Roman gods. Let's get a more up-to-date version is a

guide of what you can expect in this sport.

Wrestling was one of just four sports contested at the very first

Commonwealth Games. It is a classic contest between two athletes seeking

dominance through a range of grapples, holds, pins and throws.

Men and women compete in all weight categories in freestyle events,

whereas Lazar allowed to use their legs for gripping an opponent, and

they can hold all parts of the body. A white circle in the middle of the

mat measures three metres diameter. It is split into three zones. Points

are awarded if you push your opponent into the red zone or for

executing a wide variety of holds all blocks will stop it will be used

to decide the two finalists in each weight division. They are grappling

for medal matches this morning. The first match of this evening session

was for a bronze medal. In the 57 kilograms division in freestyle.

England against Wales. Commentary from Colin Bryce and non-Evans.

Wales being led out here, the Welsh flag, the moment in the history of

Welsh wrestling. Never before have they had a medal in freestyle

wrestling. You came pretty close in Delhi. Can he do it? So excited to

see Craig here. Up against this young man, Omar Tafail, who will be

competing in the red singlet. Omar, in many ways, has had a lucky draw

to get through against Craig. This is our referee, the Canadian. She