A star-studded trio are the first cycling athletes to be selected to represent Team Scotland at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, after outstanding performances at the recent UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Chile.

Spearheading the cycling team for Glasgow 2026 are Olympic and World champion Katie Archibald MBE, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mark Stewart and World and European medallist Lauren Bell.

All three riders produced excellent performances at the Championships, with Katie Archibald winning the gold medal in the madison, and silver in the elimination race which is set to make its Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow next year. Mark Stewart claimed silver in the men’s madison, with Lauren Bell having her best year to date with a top ten in the keirin, adding to her hat-trick of British titles won earlier this year at the British Track Championships in Manchester.

Olympic gold medallist in 2016, adding gold and silver at Tokyo 2020, and a seven-time World Champion, Katie Archibald has established herself as a force to be reckoned with over a 12-year period at the top of her sport, from the first of an astonishing 20 European titles in 2013 to her most recent World title in the madison this year.

Her success has been tempered by injury, missing both Birmingham 2022 and Paris 2024 but returns to Team Scotland looking to add to the gold, silver and bronze she won across Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.

“To be selected feels fantastic,” Katie said. “Pulling on a Scottish jersey was the biggest goal I had in the early days of my career, and it’s never stopped feeling special. A home Games is extra special, not just getting to compete in front of your home crowd, but I think there’s a sense of pride that comes with being the host nation, with being the home of such a great sporting platform, that really adds to the whole experience.

“Glasgow 2014 was this bright light that I walked towards with a massive smile on my face. I understand a bit more now and that can make some things more intimidating and some things more settling, understanding your strengths and understanding how to keep your cool at a major championship. It also hopefully means I can be a steadying presence for some of the younger riders that we will have, where this will be their big start.”

Having made his Team Scotland debut as an 18-year-old at Glasgow 2014, Mark Stewart cemented his pace in Scottish sporting history with a magnificent ride for gold in the Points Race at Gold Coast 2018. The first of his three World Championship medals also came in 2018, a Points Race bronze, followed up by Madison silver in both Glasgow in 2023 and Santiago in October this year. He made his Olympic debut at Paris 2024, finishing 9th in the Madison alongside Ollie Wood.

Mark said: “This will be my fourth Commonwealth Games and my second in Glasgow, which 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 thing 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 and enjoy all that while it’s happening.

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

Lauren Bell made her Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022, with a best result of 6th in the 500m Time Trial. Since then, she has won World and European medals in the Team Sprint and will be aiming for a first Commonwealth Games medal in Glasgow.

“It feels incredible,” she said. “It’s always nice to be selected that wee bit earlier as well so you have that stress gone. I love representing Scotland, we don’t get to do it often so when the opportunity comes it’s really special.

“Birmingham was a great learning experience and next year I think I can do even better and get one of those medals. Whenever I need a bit of motivation in training, I think of the Commonwealth Games and think of winning and hearing Flower of Scotland for that extra boost.

“Whenever you race the crowd are always incredible and bringing it closer to home in Glasgow it’s going to be even louder with all the support. It really does make a difference when you’re going round and to have friends and family in the stadium it makes it really special, because they have such a big part of your career as well.”

Elinor Middlemiss, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome the first of our cycling athletes to Team Scotland for Glasgow 2026. The velodrome has provided some of Team Scotland’s greatest successes in recent years and to have some of the athletes that have contributed to that success confirmed on the team at this early stage is fantastic as we head into 2026.

“Congratulations to all three athletes selected, as well as their families, support teams and coaches, and we wish them well in their preparation over the coming months.”

Selection for all three athletes named today comes on the back of meeting the Phase 1 selection requirements detailed in the selection policy and following nomination from Scottish Cycling and subsequent ratification by Commonwealth Games Scotland.

Athletes from across all 10 sports and six para-sports featured at Glasgow 2026 will be selected in the coming months as Team Scotland shapes up for an exciting home Games.