IT was heartbreak at the Olympics on Thursday (August 2) as cycling’s golden girl Victoria Pendleton and her teammate Jessica Varnish were disqualified from the Women’s Team Sprint.
The pair, who were on top form and had already beaten the world record, were disqualified for an illegal change.
They had been set to take on China in their bid to bring home the gold.
The news came as a bitter blow to the thousands of fans inside the Olympic Park velodrome – and to those who had gathered to cheer Victoria on in her home town of Stotfold.
Scores of supporters and friends of Victoria, who attended St Mary’s Lower School in Stotfold and Etonbury Middle School in Arlesey, had gathered at Stotfold FC to follow the town’s star on the big screen.
But despite the disappointment, the Games are not over for Victoria, who has two more chances to win gold for Team GB as she competes in the keirin today and the individual sprint on Monday (August 6).
Speaking to the BBC she said: “I’m sorry for disappointing all the people that have come to support us and perhaps not offering the ride that we would have done. I’m really sorry.
“We have never had an illegal change, so we weren’t really thinking about it.
“It’s just one of those things that happened. We were probably just a bit too eager and excited for a ride.
“Now and again rubbish things happen and this is one of those days.
“The only positives I can take is that I know I am in really good form because that was the fastest second lap I have done. I just need to get my head down and concentrate on the races to come.”