Stockton star Chris Newton was relieved to finally pick up a medal after taking bronze in Wednesday's points race at the World Track Cycling Championships.
The 35-year-old has had several near misses at the event over the last few years and feels it is a huge step up to clinch a place in the top three.
"It's a shame it wasn't a gold but I'm happy with bronze," he told BBC Tees.
"I've been fourth three times at the Worlds now, and I just didn't want to be fourth again."
Newton, who also won bronze in the points race at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was pipped to gold by Australian cyclist Cameron Mayer, with Denmark's Daniel Kreutzfeld clinching silver.
But the veteran was still pleased with his performance in Poland.
"I put everything into it and got a bronze," Newton said.
"It's easy now I've got my breath back to say 'I could have got an extra point here or there'.
"But at that time your legs won't go, you just can't do any more."
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