English rider Lizzie Armitstead: "I've got so many silvers and I want to say that I'm actually a champion of something, rather than the silver medallist. It's just pressure from me. I don't really care whether I'm impressing the newspapers or not. It's more about myself."

""It's more of a classics-style race, short, punchy climbs. It's about repeated efforts with minimal recovery in between. It's pretty technical and I like to think I'm pretty handy on my bike.

"It's definitely an advantage to have raced it previously. I have the confidence to know that where I attacked on that course I can go to the line solo. I think I'll try to do something similar."

Lizzie Armitstead will be at the centre of England's plans in the opening event of the closing day - the women's road race.

Backed by a supporting cast that includes time trial silver medallist Emma Pooley and points race champion Laura Trott, the 25-year-old is one of the favourites for gold.

The action gets under way at 08:00 BST as the field head out from Glasgow Green for 98.14 km of bluff, jostle and chase.

Image source, Getty Images

It seems strange to remember now, but the opening days of London 2012 were dogged by doubts that Team GB would deliver the medals that their home support craved.

After Great Britain's all-star men's squad, containing the recently-crowned Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, had been thwarted by the rest of the field in the men's road race, it was left to the women to open the floodgates.

Lizzie Armitstead sprinted along the Mall, through the pouring rain and to a silver medal - the first of 65 won by Great Britain.

Commonwealth Games Glasgow chief executive David Grevemberg, speaking to BBC Breakfast: "It's been a fantastic journey. I'd like to thank everyone involved. From the 15,000 Clydesiders who made this games come to life, to the organising committee that has delivered day after day, and of course the athletes, they have brought the house down.

Image source, Getty Images

"We wanted to create a Games that would resonate and refresh the conversation throughout the Commonwealth, centered on the athletes of all 71 nations. We wanted to create a fantastic experience for the fans, and we have seen that in venue after venue.

"There would always be a natural comparison between us and every other Games, but what we tried to stay true to is a Games here in Glasgow. There are so many tangible and social examples of legacy - that often used word. There is no question that the connections we have built will continue to be prosperous."

"And now, the end is near and so we face the final curtain."

Seven hundred and ninety-six medals, equating to nearly 80kgs of neckwear, has been fought for and dished out.

There are just 28 left to be awarded before the Commonwealth Games, 2014 edition, signs off with an all-singing all-dancing closing ceremony this evening.

"And more, much more than this, it's been Glasgae."