I’m pining for my bike, says Pendleton

Published on 20/11/2012 03:10

Retired Olympic star Victoria Pendleton has admitted she is finally missing her bike after turning her back on the velodrome following the Olympics.

The gold medal-winning Strictly Come Dancing contestant originally said it would be a relief to put her years of training in the saddle behind her, but now says she recently felt a “pang”. Writing in the Radio Times, she said she felt her days were numbered as a contestant on the BBC1 dance show.

Pendleton avoided the dance-off this week despite finishing towards the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard with her paso doble on Saturday.

She said she had been surprised to have lasted longer than a fortnight in the show, and admitted she had little chance of competing against show favourites Louis Smith and Denise Van Outen. “I don’t think I will last much longer, especially when I look at the likes of Louis and Denise,” she said.

“I don’t know how much more I can actually improve. In short, it would take a miracle for me to pick up that glitterball trophy.”

She added: “The other day, I also felt a pang and realised that I haven’t ridden a bike in weeks. I didn’t think I would, but I’ve 
really missed it.”