MALVERN mountain-bike rider Liam Killeen admitted he was not at the peak of his powers at the Commonwealth Games as he was left to settle with a sixth-placed finish.
The 32-year-old, who captured gold in Melbourne eight years ago, was the first Team England rider home in the men’s cross country race last week which was won by New Zealander Anton Cooper.
Killeen was a late call up to the squad having only just returned to action after sustaining a broken ankle at the London 2012 Olympics.
The Malvern rider said he was pleased to finish the race as he crossed the line in 1hr 41mins 57s, but he said he regretted not keeping in touch with the leading group.
“I am pleased to finish and pleased to have a safe race. It was pretty fast from the gun, that was my third race back and I knew it would be tough to hang on,” he said.
“I just had to ride my own ride and it was pretty windy and perhaps I had to try a bit harder than I would have needed to if I was in that front group.
“I am still recovering from my ankle injury so don’t have that peak power which is what you need off the start line but I did my best and I was pleased to hang in.”
Meanwhile, para-athlete Fiona Clarke, who is studying a Higher National Diploma in Sport, Coaching and Physical Education at the University of Worcester, finished eighth in the F38 category long jump competition at Hampden Park.