MARK STEWART took silver in impressive fashion in the men’s omnium at the Track Cycling World Cup in Glasgow yesterday, but his preparation was a far cry from the usual meticulous lead-up to World Cup races for GB riders.

The Scot was an extremely late replacement for Ethan Hayter, only getting the call-up on Saturday, when he was watching the racing from his Manchester home on the television.

A last-minute dash up to Glasgow saw the 24-year-old arrive in Glasgow at 1:30am on Sunday morning, however, he seemed utterly unfazed by his late-night drive and stepped up to the challenge admirably in yesterday’s omnium. He was however, he admitted, nervous ahead of taking to the track because despite his far from ideal preparations, medals are almost always expected from British riders.

“The strength-in-depth in our squad is so good that it wasn’t like, just come up and see what you can do,” he said.

“You know that if you’re going to race, you’re taking someone else’s spot, so you better perform. So you’re thinking, I’m actually quite nervous.”

Stewart went into the final event, the points race, in second position, and that’s where he remained, finishing in silver medal position behind reigning European champion, Frenchman Benjamin Thomas.

Eight months out from Tokyo 2020, Stewart is far from guaranteed an Olympic spot but that challenge of getting in Team GB is what drives him on daily.

“Realistically, I’m man five or six so I need to wake up every day and think what do I need to do today to tick every box?,” he said.

“We all know every guy is pushing hard but that’s the pressure you’d expect.”

Elsewhere, Jason Kenny finished fourth in the men’s sprint.

The six-time Olympic champion left Glasgow without any individual silverware but did win silver in the team sprint and declared himself happy with his weekend’s work.