\n<\/p>\n
“Listen, that Dutch team is in a league of its own,” the 27-year-old told BBC Sport Scotland. “We came in here hoping for a podium and probably surpassed what we thought we could do.<\/p>\n
“The two boys in their first Olympics, first event, stepped up massively and dealt with the pressure and that’s kudos to them.”<\/p>\n
As Lowe and Turnbull drank in the scenes afterwards – all medals and media – Carlin looked on like a proud da. In the tribunes was the Scot’s own father and his partner, plus his mother and brother.<\/p>\n
After having nobody there to watch in Covid-restricted Tokyo, that made this silver a little more special than his now chipped, battered first.<\/p>\n
“I’m going to keep this one in better nick,” he said. “It’s really not sunk in yet, but it’s special because you’re celebrating in front of your friends and family.<\/p>\n
“It’s almost sinking in now while we’re speaking…”<\/p>\n
While silver was a repeat of three years ago, experience doesn’t make it any easier. Even if a 14th Olympic, world and European medal is some sort of balm for the sting of missing out again.<\/p>\n
But not one of those 14 bits of metal are the colour Carlin most desires. <\/p>\n
The Paisley rider will get another chance in the individual event – as well as the keirin – over the next couple of days, having claimed bronze in Tokyo, but will still have to overcome a man he describes as “the best track sprinter of all time”.<\/p>\n
Dutchman Harrie Lavreysen has become close to unbeatable in recent years<\/p>\n
“There’s still five days of racing and I feel good so we’ll see how it goes,” Carlin added. “I’ve still got my head screwed on and my legs are feeling really good.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n