Glasgow 2014

Alex Dowsett: 'Anger drove me to Commonwealth Games gold'

By Joe Fish, Reporter

Published: July 31 2014 | 15:46

Last updated: August 1 2014 | 11:59

Team England cyclist Alex Dowsett admits that the disappointment of previous snubs drove him to gold in the men's 40km time trial at the Commonwealth Games.

England cyclist Alex Dowsett has revealed that the anger of previous snubs inspired him to win the men's 40km time trial at the Commonwealth Games.

Gold medallist England's Alex Dowsett poses after the podium during the Men's Cycling Individual Time Trial medal ceremony at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on July 31, 2014 © Getty Images

The 25-year-old won gold in Glasgow ahead of Australia's Rohan Dennis and Geraint Thomas of Wales.

The Team Sky rider was left out of their squad for the Tour de France and was not picked either by England for the Games in Delhi four years ago, and Dowsett has admitted that the memories of those disappointments drove him to the line.

"Nobody wanted that more than I did, after the disappointment of not being picked for the Tour de France and the silver in Delhi in 2010," he told BBC Sport.

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

Dowsett made up a five-second deficit on pre-race favourite Dennis in the final stages.