Free-spirited Stewart avoids melee on way to Scottish silver

Mark Stewart didn't have a plan when he entered the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Friday. In fact, he rarely does.

As odd as that may sound, his approach was successful as he produced "a nearly perfect race" to claim silver in the men's elimination race at his home Commonwealth Games.

"A coach said to me once, 'you're too... free-spirited', I thought that was a good thing," the 30-year-old told BBC Sport Scotland after his podium finish in the last race of the day.

"I didn't realise it could be taken as a negative.

"I don't really like to go in with a set plan. I think it's a good metaphor for life and sport.

"You've got to be adaptable, you've got to roll with the punches."

There were no hooks from him, though, his hands firmly gripped to his bike's bar as he tore his way around the familiar track in front of familiar faces.

He led throughout, opting to "get out of trouble" after a wee brawl broke out involving some English riders.

"Initially I wanted to get involved in the sort of melee that was going on," he added.

"And then, I don't know, I sort of got flicked once by one of the English boys and I was a bit scared so I thought, I'm going to get to the front and get out of trouble."

In addition to his friends and family, including four-year-old nephew Luke who he hopes this will be "a core memory for", the Dundonian knows those who keep this place running.

He made his Games debut here 12 years ago, in what he previously described as "probably the most pivotal point in my career".

He was "dead last" in the points race with aching legs and doubts over racing again the next day, but bounced back for a sixth-place finish in the scratch race.

Since then, he's pocketed a Games gold in Gold Coast, three World Championship medals and a Paris Olympics appearance.

In the brutal final race of the night - cycling's version of Squid Games where names and numbers are axed every lap - Stewart was always safe.

It was only in the final hurl round did Australia's eventual-winner Blake Agnoletto overtake him.

"I came in a few days ago and I saw Gordon and Andy who worked at the velodrome 12 years ago," he added.

"Back then, I was sleeping on someone's couch trying to get to Glasgow 2014.

"It's guys like that that are really like the life and blood of this velodrome so to come back and share a little bit of success with them is really special.

"Someone said that that was the loudest cheer we've had so far, so that's pretty cool."

Not a bad way to end a Friday night?

"Fantastic way to end," he added. "Maybe it's the start of the night? No, I've got to race tomorrow..."

Talk about free-spirited.