Historic gold left Bostock 'fighting the tears'

Manx cyclist Matthew Bostock said clinching a Commonwealth Games gold medal left him "fighting the tears" in Glasgow.

The 27-year-old became the fourth athlete from the island to win a Commonwealth gold, leading the men's 40km points race.

It echoed the previous gold medal, won by Tour de France record holder Sir Mark Cavendish, who was victorious in Melbourne in 2006.

Speaking after the race, Bostock said the achievement felt both "surreal" and "amazing".

His win follows David Mullarkey's historic bronze in the men's 10,000m at this year's games, making 2026 match the island's best‑ever medal haul.

In total 27 athletes represented the island in Glasgow, securing one gold and one bronze, alongside multiple Manx records and personal bests.

Bostock had finished fourth earlier at the games, something that he said sharpened his determination.

"It's really disappointing when you come fourth… but I just wanted to leave it all out there," he said.

When he crossed the line, becoming the island's first gold medallist in two decades, he said: "I was a bit choked up… fighting the tears."

"To win gold here with quite a few Manx people in the stands was just unbelievable," he added.

His mother, Selena, said the family was "extremely proud", adding that he had "worked so hard" after a crash at the last Commonwealth Games.

"He so deserves this recognition," she said.

She added that cycling success ran in the family, with his brother Thomas winning gold in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bermuda in 2017.

"His brother had the bragging rights until yesterday," she joked.

Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said the team's achievements were a "source of immense pride", praising the "talent, dedication and determination" shown across the ten‑day event.

The island finished 20th out of 74 competing nations and territories.

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