Victoria confirmed as one of top two sprinters in world
VICTORIA Pendleton failed to defend her world sprint title in France. The Stotfold cyclist, a gold medallist at the recent Commonwealth Games Down Under, had to be content with a silver medal in Bordeaux. This was after the 25-year-old, representing Great
VICTORIA Pendleton failed to defend her world sprint title in France.
The Stotfold cyclist, a gold medallist at the recent Commonwealth Games Down Under, had to be content with a silver medal in Bordeaux.
This was after the 25-year-old, representing Great Britain, was beaten in two rounds by Natallia Tsylinskaya of Belarus in the final for the gold medal.
The first heat saw her caught out by Tsylinskaya and she struggled to get on terms and then in heat two, again, the Belarus girl was too fast for Victoria who pushed her all the way.
Her coach Shane Sutton described her performance as a "battling one" as the former world champion did her best to continue to race through the fatigue felt from the Commonwealth Games.
Victoria said: "I'm in the top two in the world and I wasn't really on it.
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"She was riding so strongly and the speed she had to use to beat me saw the fastest times of the competition.
"I haven't really enjoyed it that much and I think it has been harder than I imagined it would be after the Commonwealth Games to get back into training.
"It's rare that you have two competitions so close together so I guess I am pleased. Second place isn't that bad.
"I wanted to podium and I have done. Obviously I wanted a rainbow jersey."
Victoria had made comfortable progress against French rider Celine Nivert and Elisa Frisoni of Italy before defeating Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania in the quarter-finals.
She decisively despatched Shuang Guo of China in two rounds in the semis.
Victoria bowed out of the keirin championship the following day after clashing with the Meares sisters from Australia, Anna and Kerrie.
