Newport-born Jon Mould powered to the silver medal in the Commonwealth Games men’s road race after fellow Welsh rider Dani Rowe claimed bronze in the women’s race.

“I’m chuffed, proper chuffed,” said Mould. “Steele Von Hoff is proper fast. I was gassed over the first climb on the last lap and didn’t think I had a massive chance, but the finish line was there and that changes everything.

“Thankfully I got it all out and that was mega. This makes up for what happened on the track, 100 per cent.

“Our races on the track certainly didn’t go perfectly, but track racing is really hard. There was no pressure going into this race and we wanted to make the most of it.

“The best way to race is on the front foot. The Aussies are really strong. We didn’t want to chase and be on the back foot.

“Luke Rowe played a big part for me. He gave me great support.

“Dani earned bronze in the women’s race and Wales have six cycling medals. We are really chuffed and, personally, I’m looking forward to a beer in the sunshine. We’ll enjoy it.”

Mould pushed on as he looked to emulate the achievement of Geraint Thomas, who won this race for Wales in Glasgow during 2014.

However, with the finish line approaching, Mould was passed by Von Hoff, and South Africa’s Clint Hendricks edged out Northern Ireland’s Mark Downey in the battle for third.

Guernsey’s Tobyn Horton claimed seventh with England’s Tom Stewart eighth and Ian Bibby 12th. Rowe finished 14th.

Australia took the gold medals in the road races with Von Hoff taking victory for the host nation in the men’s race, while Chloe Hosking won gold in the women’s

Mould and Rowe claimed silver and bronze medals respectively in the road races.

Mould, riding with the support of Team Sky’s Cardiff-born Luke Rowe, was in the finishing group contesting a sprint for victory on the 168.3km course.

The 27-year-old was second wheel behind Australia’s Cameron Meyer heading into the home straight, launching his sprint first ahead of the host nation’s favoured sprinter Von Hoff.

Mould was able to hold his sprint ahead of the five other riders attempting to contest a medal in the group, but he couldn’t do anything about Von Hoff, who waited late and accelerated past Mould over the last 50 metres to claim the gold medal.

South Africa’s Clint Hendricks won the bronze medal.

Australia’s Chloe Hosking won the women’s race ahead of New Zealand’s Georgia Williams and Welsh rider Rowe.

“It’s not just my medal, it’s all of the girls’,” said Rowe in recognition of the effort of her team-mates.\

The 27-year-old, who won Olympic gold on the track at London 2012 as Dani King with Laura Trott (now Kenny) and Jo Rowsell (now Rowsell Shand) switched her allegiance from England for these Games after getting married in September 2017 to Welsh cyclist Matthew Rowe.

“I feel like I’ve been waiting a long time for a bit of success,” said English-born Dani, who lives in Cardiff. “I’ve been working hard on the road for a few years now.

“It’s an amazing feeling. I feel like an honorary Welsh girl. I’ve been living there for over five years now. It’s been absolutely incredible. It means so much to fly the flag for Wales so I hope they’ll all welcome me when I get back to Cardiff.”

Rowe rode for England at the Glasgow 2014 Games, but has switched allegiance to Wales and looked strong throughout the 112.2km race.

She clenched her fist in celebration as she crossed the line after being led-out by team-mate Elinor Barker, who finished seventh.