sport news Aussie cyclist Matthew Glaetzer wins gold - despite shocking pre-race blunder ... trends now
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Australian cyclist Matthew Glaetzer has overcome a diabolical equipment blunder to win gold in the men's 1000m time trial at the Commonwealth Games.
In ridiculous scenes, team officials informed Glaetzer just hours before his race that the handlebars on his bike were not safe to compete with on the international stage.
At the eleventh hour, the 29-year-old was forced to race with inferior handlebars that could cost him as much as 1.5 seconds because they're not as aerodynamic - but defied the odds to snare gold.
The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have been dramatic for Glaetzer, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2019.
He started off by capturing a gold medal in the men's team spring alongside Leigh Hoffman and Matthew Richardson on the first day of the games, before disaster struck in the second round of the keirin event.
Glaetzer clipped the back wheel of England's Joe Truman, with the pair both tumbling to the unforgiving velodrome board.
Australian cyclist Matthew Glaetzer has overcome a diabolical equipment blunder to win gold in the men's 1000m time trial at the Commonwealth Games
Glaetzer, 29, was informed just hours before racing by team officials the handlebars for the time trial final were not safe to
