Chris Symonds takes break from Westminster commute to race at Commonwealth Games

The first rider off the ramp in the men’s time trial at the Commonwealth Games was a 48-year-old riding for Ghana who spends his working days as a doorkeeper at the House of Commons.

Chris Symonds was disappointed with his time of 62 minutes 56.79 seconds over the 37.4km course around Wolverhampton – 16-and-a-half minutes slower than winner Rohan Dennis – insisting it was some way off the sort of pace he has ridden in recent club time trials.

His preparation for these Games has been built around commuting 12 miles each way from north London to the Palace of Westminster every day on a regular bike.

“I’ve been a doorkeeper for 20 years, since Gordon Brown and David Cameron were Prime Minister,” Syymonds said. “We keep the doors to the chamber, to make sure people like you don’t get in.

“I’ve barred entry to a few famous people, but I’d better not say who.

“The journey into work is about 12 miles on a hybrid commuter bike – you try to work up a head of steam, but it’s not easy with all the traffic lights.”

Symonds was greeted in Wolverhampton by local MP Stuart Anderson, who wished him luck before Thursday’s race, and he rides with the likes of Finchley MP Mike Freer, though he would not be drawn on who were the fittest politicians.

“No comment,” he said. “I might make a few enemies if I get it wrong.”

Symonds insisted his job was “never stressful” but does involve long hours, eating into the time he might spend training in the ‘Little Alps’ of Hertfordshire, having worked with a coach – Tom Kirk – for the first time this season.

“I have had four course PBs this season,” said Symonds, who bought the £4,000 bike he rode in Wolverhampton himself. “So I would have liked to have gone better out there.”

Symonds was born in