Neil Fachie overcomes crash to claim final Commonwealth gold in Glasgow
Scotland's para-cyclist Neil Fachie and pilot Aaron Pope recovered from a dramatic crash to win gold in the men's tandem B events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
In a dramatic conclusion to his Commonwealth Games career, Scotland's record-breaking para-cyclist Neil Fachie, alongside pilot Aaron Pope, endured a painful crash in the final lap of the tandem B sprint before rallying to secure gold. The incident, which saw their bike clip wheels and a helmet fly off, left both athletes with bleeding legs and torn clothing, yet they returned to the track for a decisive showdown against Wales' James Ball and former pilot Matt Rotherham.
Their perseverance paid off as they crossed the line ahead of the Welsh duo, earning Fachie his last Commonwealth medals in Glasgow's Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. After the race, Fachie's wife Lora appeared on the screen, expressing relief that the intense competition was over. The win caps a storied career that includes 19 world titles, and Fachie indicated this will be his final appearance at the Games.
Why it matters
The win caps a celebrated athlete's career and highlights the drama and resilience of para-sport at a major international event.
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