Free-spirited Stewart avoids melee on way to Scottish silver
Mark Stewart enjoys a night to remember in Glasgow after staying out of trouble in the men's elimination race.
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."
"Fantastic way to end," he added. "Maybe it's the start of the night? No, I've got to race tomorrow..."
