The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Boost for Stewart’s confidence
cycling: Standout victory for Dundee rider at six-day event
Double under-23 European champion Mark Stewart will continue his track season with his confidence renewed after proving he can compete with the world’s best at Six Day London.
The highlight of the 22-year-old Dundonian’s week came when he won the 10km points race ahead of world championship gold and silver medallists Cameron Meyer and Kenny de Ketele.
Working with British Cycling teammate Ollie Wood, Stewart finished 10th in the general classification and though disappointed with their overall performance, he admitted the win would live long in the memory.
“That will be a stand out for me, I did target the win and it’s not often you do that and it actually goes well – usually it goes the other way,” he said.
“It was nice to have a bit of confidence in myself and actually follow through with a plan and think, ‘I’m not terrible, I can actually keep up with these guys’.”
Next up in the track season for British Cycling will be the Poland and Manchester legs of the Track World Cup.
Stewart first competed at Six Day London in 2015, its inaugural year, winning the 1878 Cup on day one.
But as the former triathlete continues to establish himself in the British Cycling set-up, he acknowledged that this year’s competition in the Lee Valley Velodrome was slightly different to his debut.
“It was a nice surprise the first time, I came in with no expectations and it was nice to come and win the 1878 Cup,” he added. “You kind of come in with some expectations, but every year the field is getting better and better so I’m happy just to be able to keep up with them.
“We train with the other Brits and we go to World Championships, World Cups and European Championships but here we stay in the same hotel and it’s relaxed during the day.
“It’s nice just to get to know each other in a more relaxed environment but then to give it to each other on the boards.”
Tickets for Six Day London 2018 go on general sale today at 11am. For more information go to www.sixday.com