Neh Evans’s Commonwealth Hope is sick

Scotland’s biggest medal hope for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has revealed that illness has disrupted his preparations.

Track cyclist Neh Evans has won two Olympic silver medals, as well as multiple golds at world and European level, but is lowering his expectations for his next competition after a tough build-up.

“If I had what I wanted to make, I probably would have had a daydream or two (of winning),” he said.

“At the moment my expectation is to be in good enough shape to perform. Track cycling can be so unpredictable.”

“I’ve had quite a bit of illness over the last year, so I wasn’t in the form I expected to be in so it’s a bit disappointing and I have to adjust my expectations because of that.”

The Aberdeenshire racer already has five Commonwealth Games medals to his name – three silver and two bronze.

“I’m improving and I’m a lot better than last year but there’s still some way to go.

“It’s very difficult as an athlete, you see where you want to be and sometimes it’s not possible.

“Anyone who’s ever had an illness or injury knows that it’s not as linear a progression as you’d like.

“You can go into a race in the shape of your life and come away with nothing, and other times you might not come in great shape but just have a tactically perfect race and come out on top.

“That’s part of the beauty of track cycling and I’m hoping that the latter will come into play for me this time.”