Tilt at u nexpected glory with Fachie

“Sometimes it feels more like a job, so I’m not glory hunting in any way – I’m just doing it because I can.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to further my career and of course it’s brilliant to win medals. but I’m doing it just to win races I’m not doing it to win medals.”

This the first time para- cycling has been included as part of the Commonwealth Games event schedule, although MacLean has been involved in the sport for six years.

He went on: “When I trained with the able-bodied squad the para squad always trained with us in Manchester .

“I always knew that was an option when I came to the end of my lifespan with the able-bodied squad.

“In 2008 when I didn’t make the Beijing Olympic squad, that was essentially my last year and then I was offered a place on the tandem.

“Neil and I won our first World Championships together on the tandem leading up to the London games but it was always different for the selection processtodecidewhowasgoing to ride with who.

“I teamed up with Anthony Kappes and he has subsequently retired.

“That means there isn’t going to be an English tandem, so that’s potentially good for us and makes our job a little bit easier.

“It was only ever going to be Neil and I riding for Scotland.”

Craig was diagnosed with coeliac disease in 2009, but following a gluten-free diet has helped end years of cramps and exhaustion.

Aberdeen- born Fachie, who has a visual impairment, believes communication is the key to successful tandem racing. And after a scary start, he believes the combination with Craig MacLean is just right.

He said of their early days trainingtogether:“Inmyfirst race Craig shouted ‘slow’ and I thought he shouted‘go’ so I started pushing really hard.

“At the same time he was back- pedalling, trying to slow us down.

“We’ve progressed a bit from there.”