PEEBLES mountainbiker Grant Ferguson was top of the Scots in the final of the men’s cross country at the Commonwealth Games..

The 20-year-old current British champion finished fifth in the event at Cathkin Braes - only just missing out on a medal.

He thanked the Peeblesshire public who turned out to support him in their numbers.

And he vowed to try to repay their kindness when he returns to action in the road race..

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News during a break in training, Grant, who started his cycling career riding dirt criteriums with Peebles Cycling Club, said: “It was an awesome experience and the crowd was amazing.

“It’s the first time I’ve done such a big event and I planned the whole year around it.

“My mum and dad came to watch, as well as a huge group of my friends, I knew they were there but it was just a vast tunnel of noise!

“Usually there are some quiet places on a mountainbike race but there were spectactors all along the track and whenever I passed they just erupted - it was nuts.” Grant recorded a time of one hour, 41 minutes and 35 seconds on the tough course which placed him 22 seconds ahead of the next home nations rider, Englishman Liam Killeen, and more than two minutes ahead of the next Scot, Kenta Gallagher in 10th place. He was three minutes and nine seconds off the gold medal winning time set by 19-year-old New Zealander Anton Cooper.

Grant said: “We knew they would go out quite hard but I’m pleased with 5th place in my first event.” Grant has another crack at a medal as part of the team for the 168km road race.

And, whatever happens, he revealed he was proud to represent his country at the Commonwealth Games and hopes his efforts will encourage more youngsters to take up the sport in Peeblesshire.

Grant said: “The road race will take four to five hours and I expect to be making most effort in the early stages as my role is to support the pro riders David Millar and Andy Fenn.

“But anything can happen and there could be a breakaway, it should be another great experience.” Elsewhere, West Linton netball star Jo Pettitt proved she has a great future ahead of her after representing Scotland at her first Games too.

However, she was unable to help the national team qualify from their Pool A. After a convincingly 58-30 win over St Lucia, Scotland lost their next four matches to New Zealand, 71-14; Jamaica, 68-26; Malawi, 62-35 and Northern Ireland 37-32.