ALEX Dowsett doesn’t want to settle for second best in the Commonwealth Games time-trial today.

The 25-year-old professional cyclist from Maldon burst on to the scene at the last Commonwealth Games in Delhi four years ago when he won a silver medal.

That kick-started four fantastic years for Dowsett that saw him move to the premier British cycling outfit Team Sky and then on to the Movistar team.

But he suffered major disappointment a month ago when he was left out of Movistar’s Tour de France squad, a setback that was all the more disappointing as the race went through his home county.

Dowsett, a former national time-trial champion, doesn’t want any more disappointments this summer and that means it’s gold or bust for the former Chelmsford schoolboy.

“I really want to win this,” he said. “I already have a silver medal from Delhi and I’m not here for a second silver.”

Dowsett knows winning that gold medal is no easy task. Among his rivals will be Scot David Millar, who beat him to gold in Dehi, and Wales’ Tour star Geraint Thomas who beat him at the British time-trial championships this year.

The Australian squad will also provide strong contenders but Dowsett believes the town centre course may play to his advantage.

“It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “There is a lot of stiff opposition.The course is not for the real time-trial specialists. It’s got a little bit of everything. There’s a couple of real rhythm breakers. You really have to think about it and that’s good for me.”

The time trial takes place between 12.30pm and 3.30pm today. Dowsett will be one of the last out on to the course but he is way of the weather, with rain expected.

“If it’s wet there are a couple of corners you have to break in which you don’t have to break in if it’s dry so that could be an issue.

“There’s a straight section back to Glasgow which could be difficult depending on the direction of the wind.”