Anger drove England’s Alex Dowsett to Commonwealth Games gold in the men’s road time-trial today after illness ruined his hopes of competing in a first Tour de France.

The 25-year-old could not watch the UK stages of the Tour, which began in Leeds and rolled through his home county of Essex, after a bout of bronchitis saw him omitted from Movistar’s line-up.

Maldon’s Dowsett refocused on Glasgow 2014 and the 38.4-kilometre time-trial, which began and finished at Glasgow Green, achieving an upgrade on the silver medal he won in Delhi in 2010.

“I fought like I’ve never fought before - no-one wanted that more than me today,” Dowsett said.

“It was a bitter disappointment not being selected for the Tour de France. I spent the whole month fairly angry, not at anyone in particular, just angry at the situation.

“Commonwealth Games was a big target for me anyway but it suddenly became a huge target.

“It was my next focus and I really wanted to do something big after the disappointment of the Tour de France.

“I’ve always been the same, since I was a kid, I usually pull something fairly big out the bag when I’m really angry.

“I had a point to prove to myself. I know I was worthy of that Tour place, I was unlucky in when I got ill.”

Dowsett came from behind to finish in 47 minutes 41.78 seconds and take gold by 9.3secs.

Australia’s Rohan Dennis, who had led for much of the race, was second in 47mins 51.08secs, and Wales’ Geraint Thomas four seconds further behind in third in 47:55.82.