Fatigue to blame as Charlie Tanfield misses out on medal in Munich

Charlie Tanfield admits the physical demands of a jam-packed cycling summer got the better of him after missing out on a European medal in Munich. The Great Ayton star, 25, was denied a spot on the podium by just 1.41s in Saturday night’s individual pursuit bronze medal showdown against Manlio Moro after a third-place finish in qualifying scuppered his hopes of a shot at gold. Ad Tanfield helped steer England to team pursuit silver at this month’s Commonwealth Games before doing the same with Britain’s stars at the European Championships on Friday night.

CyclingJosie Knight overcomes 'biggest challenge' for fourth at European Championships10 MINUTES AGO He entered Saturday’s individual event with little left in the tank and says not firing on all cylinders hampered his chances. The five-time European medallist said: «I just fell short and that happens sometimes. »You can’t be on form all the time — it was a case of just managing it after the team pursuit.

«I was trying to build for the Commonwealth, then we had the Commonwealths and then two weeks in between when you can’t do any training. »You’re caught in this middle ground where you’ve got some fatigue and you’re not able to back up things as well — that’s what’s just happened. «Team pursuit was amazing but I’ve just not been able to back it up.

I’ve just got more tired and tired, put in some big rides in the team pursuit and it’s just taken a toll on me. »Unfortunately, I couldn’t take my chance but it wasn’t to be." Tanfield, who finished third in qualifying behind German Nicolas Heinrich and Italian Davide Plebani, added: “The toughest thing to take was not getting in the gold and silver race. «I just missed out and that was hard