THERE was a first medal for Team Wales in the velodrome at Glasgow 2014 as Matthew Ellis and Ieuan Williams won bronze, writes Andrew Penman.
The Welsh pair surfed the wave of success from Frankie Jones and Laura Halford in the gymnastics and Newport’s Elena Allen in the shooting as Wales won four medals within an hour on day two of competition.
Ellis and Williams were third in the men’s para cycling 1000m time trial B2 tandem at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
Ellis was delighted to claim bronze with his close friend Williams.
“It's like a marriage between us,” joked visually impaired Ellis, who is piloted round the track by Williams.
“It's brilliant since it's our first major competition,” he added.
Williams said: “There are no tactics. It's only 1000m so you just go for it.
“There's no catching in 1000m. You just need to be quick and keep your fingers crossed.
“We are ecstatic. We started training two and a half years ago full time. Just to reach the medals first time was brilliant.”
But there was agony later on in the velodrome for Cardiff’s Owain Doull who was just pipped for a medal in the men's 4000m individual pursuit.
The 21-year-old was beaten in the bronze medal final by New Zealand’s Marc Ryan to finish in fourth and miss out on the podium.
“When I qualified third you have the confidence to think you can win a medal,” said Doull.
“But that’s cycling and you can’t take anything for granted.
“I set a new personal best by four seconds but ultimately you want to win a medal when you are racing
“I have not been on the track that much so I have had limited preparation.”
Doull goes in the scratch races on the track before turning his attention to the road race as he aims to help Tour de France star Geraint Thomas to gold on the final day of the Games.
“Geraint is doing the time trial so we will meet up soon after that,” said Doull.
“We have got a good all-round squad with myself, Sam Harrison, Scott Davies and Jon Mould to help Luke (Rowe) and Geraint get a medal.”
Meanwhile, Calum Jarvis won bronze in the 200m freestyle in the pool late last night to take the Team Wales medal haul to six.
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