by Our Sports Desk

England’s Emma Pooley was content with Commonwealth Games silver in her final time-trial as a professional cyclist after giving everything in pursuit of gold.

The 31-year-old London-born rider announced on Tuesday her intention to retire after Sunday’s road race in which she will support Lizzie Armitstead.

Pooley, who had individual ambitions first in the 29.6-km time-trial, which began and finished at Glasgow Green, overtook four riders who started ahead of her and led at every time check before finishing in 42 minutes 31.49 seconds.

However, Linda Villumsen of New Zealand dug deep in the final stages to triumph in 42m 25.46s and won by six seconds. Katrin Garfoot of Australia was third in 43m 13.91s.

“You can’t be frustrated when you’ve done your best,” Pooley said.

“It was nice to cross the line with the best time and slightly less nice when someone goes quicker.

“I’m not upset. Linda deserved to win. I don’t really want to look back with regrets because you can’t re-race it. I’m thrilled to have a medal at all.”

Villumsen has often come close to success and narrowly missed out, finishing second at the Delhi Games four years ago — when Canada’s Tara Whitten won — fourth in the London 2012 Olympic time-trial and third in the World Championships later that year.

Villumsen said: “It’s a bit of a smack in the confidence when you think you can win and you finish second, third or fourth.

“So when you see your name with 1 next to it you can’t quite believe it. It’s amazing.”

English riders shared the success as Villumsen is the partner of Emma Trott, the elder sister of double Olympic champion and Glasgow 2014 points race gold medallist Laura Trott.

Emma Trott, who retired after May’s Friends Life Women’s Tour, wrote on Twitter: “I am simply the proudest person right now! @LVillumsen makes me proud every day and I’m very happy to have you as my partner!”

Pooley, who will take to endurance triathlon later this year, admitted to being cautious through some corners but her main concern was not to tumble to the tarmac in the early stages.

She added: “I was a bit nervous because it was quite a steep start ramp and the paving stones in front of me were wet and I had a big corner coming up. I was mainly thinking ‘Don’t fall off right at the start.’

“I just wanted to get everything out. I knew it was my last time-trial as a professional cyclist.

“It was wonderful to have so many people cheering. There were even some people with Scottish flags shouting Emma, so thanks Scotland.

“It’s a nice way to do the last time-trial of my career.”