Scotland’s Neil Fachie wrapped up his career with a magnificent seven, as he edged his way to gold at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
The Paralympian, competing in his fourth Commonwealth Games, could hardly have scripted a better ending, finishing his illustrious career with victory in front of a home crowd.
The Aberdonian, who beat James Ball to gold last week in the 1,000m time trial, nudged past his Welsh opponent once again to take the Tandem B Sprint.
The final was not without drama, however, a clash of wheels bringing Fachie and pilot Aaron Pope down shortly after the start of the third race.
In the restart, and with bloodied knees and ripped suits, it was the Scottish duo who would gain the momentum, delivering an impressive sprint finish.
‘I was incredibly fired up (after the crash),’ said Fachie. ‘I let out a few expletives, so hopefully my son wasn’t listening, because he wasn’t far away.
A drained Neil Fachie savours the moment after claiming his SEVENTH Commonwealth gold
‘At that point, my legs weren’t doing much of what I wanted them to, but adrenaline is an incredibly powerful tool. If anything, they may just have poked the beast and got us ready for that decider.
‘The adrenaline was immense, the crowd was phenomenal. I said to Aaron before we lined up that the story was already written, we just had to finish it, and we did.
‘For my very last bike race, that’s a dramatic way to finish. I’ll happily tell that story for years to come.’
The 42-year-old now bows out from competitive cycling with seven Commonwealth golds after becoming the most successful athlete in Team Scotland’s history. The accolade had previously been held by bowls legend Alex ‘Tattie’ Marshall, who has five.
Amid the din of the crowd, a clearly emotional Fachie was applauded by wife Lora, his in-laws and son Fraser, as they closed the chapter on a life in elite competition.
For the entire family, the departure of the 19-time world champion marks a significant moment. Theirs has always been a life dominated by training, competition and travelling the world.
Lora – herself a four-time Paralympian – retired last year after many successful years at the top of her sport. The pair had met while in the British Cycling set up, with both going on to win golds at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. They welcomed baby Fraser in 2023 and, since then, have combined parenthood with work and competitions.
Fachie and Pope hit the velodrome surface hard after a crash in their final against Wales
‘I missed watching Neil at Glasgow 2014,’ said Lora, who’d decked her nails out in the Saltire, in honour of Neil’s event. ‘To be here for Glasgow 2026 has meant a great deal to us.
‘It’s probably more nerve-wracking being a spectator, rather than actually racing. There were definitely tears when he won gold last week, as well as a bit of hysterical screaming.
‘I really didn’t expect him to win it this time, as he has been working at Amazon and only training maybe once a week, and I didn’t think he’d get it this time. It just shows you the calibre of his work, however. It’s not a fluke. He’s just exceptional at doing what he does.’
By her own admission, much of the Fachie success would have been impossible without the help of ‘nana’ and ‘grandad’ Turnham – Lora’s mum and dad.
Her mum Susan – who is also visually impaired – was once selected to compete in athletics at the LA Paralympics but, due to family commitments, was unable to take part. In her own way, however, she has been pivotal to Lora’s success.
‘Lora always tells me that she found my spikes when she was younger and that sowed the seed in her to get into sport,’ says Susan. ‘Lora’s dad is also massively into it, as is our son Roy, who plays for Paralympics GB football. I suppose it was inevitable that she would end up with a life in sport.
‘I just never imagined we’d get to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and all over the world to watch her racing. Neil and Lora’s careers have given us some great opportunities and it has been great to be able to support them both wherever and whenever we can.’
Fachie and wife Lora received matching OBE’s together at Windsor Castle back in 2023
‘I couldn’t have done this without them,’ her daughter agreed. ‘Fraser is also visually impaired, so they really understand the dynamic. I know it has meant a great deal to Neil, having us all in the crowd.
‘After his first race where he won gold, he told me and Fraser to come to the barrier so he could see his son. He’s a very hands-on dad, absolutely brilliant with him, and it has been hard being away from him.
‘I know what it’s like, I really struggled being away from Fraser. When we were both competing in Paris and my parents were looking after him, it was hard work. His golds, however, make it all worthwhile.’
Moving forward, the Fachie family dynamic will certainly look a little different.
‘It feels really odd thinking about that in a way,’ added Lora. ‘We’ve had so many amazing times in the sport. I remember when we were pictured together after we both won golds at the Rio Paralympics, and David Beckham liked our picture on Instagram. I was bowled over by that. My friends were like, “Never mind Beckham, you’ve won a gold medal”. But it was pretty novel to grab the attention of such a sporting superstar.
‘It will be strange now to see Neil not being there and not competing in the sport.’
Hard as it might be, the time is right, she said, for Neil to move on.
‘When Glasgow was announced as the host of the Games, he had kind of already stepped away from the sport,’ added Lora. ‘Then he decided to come back and give it one final go. I know how much his first two gold medals from 2014 meant to him and they probably mean more than the Paralympic ones he has earned.
Fachie and his pilot Aaron Pope celebrate with the saltire flag at their medal ceremony
‘He is an immensely proud Scot, and he loves competing for Team Scotland. There’s also something very special about hearing Flower of Scotland and being immersed in all of that.
‘From my perspective, I stepped away last March and, to be honest, I’ve not missed it. All good things have to come to an end, and to close the chapter for Neil, especially in such a positive way, is fantastic. I’m really pleased that he got to do that and bow out with pride.’
As for the new Tandem B Sprint champion, he is adamant that any thoughts of a return at the Paralympics in 2028 are definitely NOT on the agenda.
‘I just can’t see it,’ said Fachie. ‘I’m in a much better place physically than I thought I would be, but I don’t see myself carrying on.
‘What a way to bow out. I’m quite happy to say farewell here. I love you, Scotland. What a moment.’
