Webster stays isolated and thinks his way to gold
GOLD COAST: On race days, Sam Webster keeps to himself.
Sitting on his own, the New Zealander flicks through a mental catalogue of races and riders and events, seeking the chink in an opponent’s armour.
So that, when he arrives at the crunch moment of a Commonwealth Games men’s sprint goldmedal race, he can foresee victory.
From there, it is just a case of getting on the bike.
‘‘I like to be very isolated. I keep to myself all day and don’t communicate much,’’ the newlyminted backtoback Games gold medallist says.
‘‘It’s a time to really reflect on every ride, think deeply about what’s going to happen and then prepare, because when you’re under bright lights . . . I’ve been in this skinsuit for 11 hours, you’ve got to be able to switch on, off, on, off.’’
Cerebral and meticulous, the 26yearold Webster envisaged his Games final win over Jack Carlin on Saturday and then brought it into life.
Having watched Carlin at recent world cup meets and in his earlier Games races, Webster knew the Scot could be pipped in the final stages.
In the first clash of his 20 final victory, Webster — starting from the back of the match race — made his move in the final third, roaring ahead to win.
In the second, starting on the front, Webster kept the pace high early, built up a lead and
knew Carlin would not have the legs to overtake.
‘‘Often those riders, you can draw them out and take away the sting in their acceleration, so I knew I had to keep the pace
high,’’ Webster said.
‘‘When I stood, I had a look up the front straight and actually gapped him by about a length — in my head I knew instinctively that was one wheel too big.’’
Thanks to Saturday’s gold and his men’s team sprint triumph with Eddie Dawkins and Ethan Mitchell, Webster has now accrued seven Games medals.
He is just one off Kiwi great Gary Anderson’s haul — but demurred on the idea of returning in Birmingham in 2022.
‘‘I’m not going to make a call about whether I’ll be doing that now but definitely locked in for Tokyo [Olympics] and my passion is running high, my body’s feeling good. I’ve got a great team,’’ Webster said.
New Zealander Emma Cumming picked up her second medal of the Games with a bronze in the women’s 500m time trial on Saturday.
Cumming finished in 34.230sec, starting well but trailing off late, and was beaten by Australians Kaarle McCulloch and Stephanie Morton.
She had earlier won silver in the women’s team sprint. — NZN