Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Cyclist Aaron Gate creates Kiwi history, wins men's road race for fourth gold medal, New Zealand's 18th

Kiwi cyclist Aaron Gate has become the first New Zealander to win four gold medals at a single Commonwealth Games, taking first in the men's road race on Monday (NZ time).

Gate, 31, won three gold medals as part of New Zealand's all-conquering track campaign earlier in the Games, and pushed on to add another in the 160km road race.

Aaron Gate celebrates track cycling gold.
Aaron Gate celebrates track cycling gold. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

In a sprint to the finish, Gate overcame South Africa's Daryl Impey and Finn Crockett of Scotland to cross the line first.

Aside from adding another gold medal to Gate's collection, the victory is New Zealand's 18th of the Birmingham Games, setting a new record and eclipsing that of the 1990 Games in Auckland, where Kiwi athletes won 17 golds.

Earlier in the Games, Gate became the fourth New Zealander to win three golds at a single event, joining Dame Yvette Williams in 1954, Gary Anderson in 1990, and Ellesse Andrews (2022) in the feat.

But now, Gate stands tallest, standing on top of the podium for an unprecedented fourth time.

"When it came down to a sprint and I had the prime position to run at that line I couldn't believe it," he said post-race.

"The last two laps my legs were just constantly cramping every time I got out of the saddle or changed position, then I tried to clip my foot out to stretch my quad with a few kilometres to go and my hamstring nearly cramped up.

"I was literally on the razor edge of getting to the line.

"We came here to win the team pursuit and when we ticked that off I was kind of hoping that momentum would carry through, but I definitely didn't believe it would be this kind of momentum. 

"It still hasn't sunk in yet."

Gate's fourth gold joins his triumphs in the men's individual pursuit, team pursuit and points race from the velodrome.   

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