A star-studded trio have been named as the first cyclists selected to represent Team Scotland at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. 

Katie Archibald MBE, Mark Stewart and Lauren Bell will all represent Scotland at the Glasgow Games after standout performances at the recent UCI Track Cycling World Championships. 

Both Katie Archibald and Mark Stewart made their Commonwealth Games debut on home soil at Glasgow 2014, with Archibald winning bronze in the Women’s Points Race. Reflecting on that moment more than a decade later, she said: 

“That’s one of the most meaningful medals I have. They do say that if you get silver, you’ve lost the gold, but if you get bronze, you’ve won your own fight, and that was definitely true. My Glasgow 2014 experience really was the springboard to the rest of my career.” 

Archibald made history for Scotland that same year, becoming the nation’s first female track cycling world champion. Since then, she has amassed an extraordinary 20 European titles, seven world titles and three Olympic medals, including two golds, as well as winning Commonwealth gold and silver at Gold Coast 2018. 

After injuries forced her to miss Birmingham 2022 and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a home Games feels particularly meaningful: 

“I hit a massive high after the Tokyo Olympics and felt untouchable. The really clean lesson from the last few years is that you’ve got to have enjoyed the process and know that it’s going to be worth it, whether you cross the finish line or not.” 

On being among the first athletes confirmed for Team Scotland, she expressed: 

“It definitely feels like pressure, but it feels like pressure because it’s a massive privilege, so I’m really happy.” 

Mark Stewart made his Commonwealth Games debut alongside Katie back in 2014 at just 18 years old. His big moment came four years later when he stormed to gold in the Points Race at Gold Coast 2018. A three-time world medallist, he returns for what will be his fourth Commonwealth Games. 

Speaking about his selection, Stewart said: 

“It feels like an absolute privilege. When I competed in Glasgow 2014, I was 18 years old and living in the city, and it was my first experience of a major Games. It was pretty overwhelming, to be honest, and quite hard to soak in.  

I can reflect on it now, but at the time, things were coming at me thick and fast. Whereas now, I can really prepare and enjoy the process of being with the team and being part of a home Games, and soak up all that while it's happening.” 

He added: 

“It means a lot, and it's only once every four years that we get to compete for Team Scotland. We're so proud to be Scottish that to wear those colours on an international stage is something that will never get old.” 

The youngest of the trio, Lauren Bell, made her Commonwealth Games debut at the Birmingham 2022 Games, coming away with a best of sixth in the 500m Time Trial and a hunger for more.  

Since then, she has risen through the sprinting ranks, collecting multiple European and World Championship medals - including a silver at the 2023 UCI World Championships in Glasgow. 

Looking ahead to Glasgow 2026 and how it will compare to the home World Championships, Bell said: 

“I think it will be even better to be honest. Racing anywhere in Britain is always amazing, but the Scots just take it up a notch. The velodrome is such an amazing atmosphere. Because you’re surrounded by spectators, you’re just carried by the noise.” 

On targeting her first Commonwealth Games medal in front of a home crowd, she added: 

“When I need a bit of motivation on the turbo bike, I do think about what that moment would be like, and my pedals start going up more watts. It would just be incredible. To be able to do it with a Scotland top on in front of my friends and family in Glasgow, in the velodrome where I first learnt to ride my bike, would be a real full circle moment.”