Scotland's Mark Stewart claimed his first world championship gold medal at the World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai earlier this month, winning the gruelling 160-lap points race at the age of 31.
The victory caps a remarkable journey for the Dundee native, who had previously won two silver medals and a bronze at the world championships. After being dropped from British Cycling's high-performance programme and seeing his professional career halted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Stewart spent time stranded in New Zealand during lockdown. He worked as a dog walker, babysitter, teacher and lifeguard before rejoining British Cycling ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Personal perspective
Stewart admitted he had begun to accept that a world title might never come. "Because it had taken me so long to win a world championship you almost start to make your peace that it wasn't going to happen and started to enjoy the other aspects of sport," he said. "I don't put any more value on it because I have spent my career telling myself that it is not where I put my value, so I can't see that really changing. I stand by that so I think it is something cool and it is a personal achievement - but I still don't think it should change how people judge you or how I judge myself."
Overcoming adversity
The cyclist also revealed he faced "extremely challenging" personal circumstances in the build-up to the championships, which he channelled into his performance. Having gained Olympic experience in Paris two years ago, the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist believes he has found a new level that could propel him toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"That world championships was the start of the Olympic selection process so I couldn't really have started it in a better place," Stewart said. "I have found a new level of performance and I think if I can tap into that it might open up a few more doors, I might still have to push the doors but a re-evaluation probably is needed."
