Scotland's Mark Stewart has finally achieved his career ambition by winning gold at the World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai, ending a long journey marked by setbacks and unconventional work outside professional sport.
The 31-year-old from Dundee triumphed in the demanding 160-lap points race, according to BBC Sport. Stewart won the men's points race by seven points over Olympic omnium champion Benjamin Thomas, with Portugal's Carlos Salgueiro claiming bronze. This world title comes after Stewart had previously secured two silver medals and a bronze at the championships, making this breakthrough particularly significant.
Stewart's path to the podium in Shanghai was far from conventional. After being dropped from British Cycling's high performance programme when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, he found himself stranded in New Zealand during lockdown. Rather than return immediately, he remained there and pursued various occupations to support himself, working as a dog-walker, babysitter, teacher, and lifeguard. He eventually rejoined British Cycling ahead of the 2024 Olympics, marking a remarkable return to elite competition.
How did Stewart perform in the race itself?
Stewart scored in 11 of the race's 16 intermediate sprints, winning three, and finished with 35 points. His consistency across the gruelling event demonstrated the tactical awareness and endurance required to succeed at world championship level.
What does Stewart say about his achievement?
Stewart has admitted that he had begun to accept the possibility that a world championship gold might never come.
Because it had taken me so long to win a world championship you almost start to make your peace that it wasn't going to happen and started to enjoy the other aspects of sport,he told BBC Scotland.
Despite the magnitude of his victory, Stewart remains measured in his assessment of what the title means.
I don't put any more value on it because I have spent my career telling myself that it is not where I put my value, so I can't see that really changing. I stand by that so I think it is something cool and it is a personal achievement - but I still don't think it should change how people judge you or how I judge myself.
Stewart acknowledged that he had to navigate
extremely challengingpersonal circumstances in the lead-up to his victory, which he managed to channel productively into his performance on the track.
What are Stewart's Olympic prospects?
Having competed at the Paris Olympics two years ago and winning Commonwealth gold in 2018, Stewart believes his world championship success positions him well for future competition.
That world championships was the start of the Olympic selection process so I couldn't really have started it in a better place,he explained.
I have found a new level of performance and I think if I can tap into that it might open up a few more doors, I might still have to push the doors but a re-evaluation probably is needed.Stewart is targeting the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 as his next major objective, believing he can build on the momentum from Shanghai.
What comes next for Stewart?
Stewart's world title adds to a growing collection of medals for British track cycling. His success in Shanghai represents a significant moment in his career trajectory, particularly given the interruption caused by the pandemic and his subsequent career break. Stewart finished fourth in the points race at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier in 2026, making his world championship victory an impressive progression. The next major championship opportunity will come at the 2027 UCI Track World Championships scheduled for 26–30 August at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.
Key Facts
- Mark Stewart won the 160-lap points race at the World Track Cycling Championships in Shanghai, claiming his first world title after two previous silver medals and one bronze
- Stewart spent time working as a dog-walker, babysitter, teacher, and lifeguard after being dropped from British Cycling's programme during the Covid-19 pandemic
- He scored in 11 of 16 intermediate sprints and finished with 35 points, winning by seven points over Benjamin Thomas of France
- Stewart is now targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as his next major goal, believing he has found a new level of performance
