Track Cycling World Championships: Pendleton’s blood, sweat and tears tops Meares

In an extraordinary day at the Hisense Arena, 2008 Olympic champion Pendleton was awarded victory off the bike when race officials relegated her final opponent Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania, handing the Briton a 2-0 success.

The key to victory was a stunning come-from-behind semi-final triumph over defending champion and perennial adversary Anna Meares of Australia – an epic duel that was full of drama and proved Pendleton’s hunger for glory at the Olympics is far from diminished.

Pendleton, who intends to retire after August’s Olympic track programme, lost control and crashed in the first bout – suffering abrasions to her right shoulder, elbow and hip – before being granted a reprieve in the second as Meares was judged to have impeded her opponent by going outside the sprinters’ lane.

The officials’ decision set up a deciding contest, which Meares led out on the last of three laps, but Pendleton responded by accelerating around her rival and won in a photo-finish.

“This is probably the most significant and probably the most emotional, being the last time I’m going to do this,” said Pendleton, who regained the title she won in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

“It means a lot to me. It probably means as much as the first one [in Los Angeles], which was special, because I never thought I had the ability to be world champion.

“I’m delighted I won but it’s nice to win by crossing the line first – relegations always make it a bit weird.

“It’s a shame in some respects and it’s not great for the crowd either, but they’re the rules.”

Meares had demonstrated her supreme form by breaking the world record in qualifying on day two, but Pendleton proved her class by avenging her defeat to the Australian in February.

“We were both pushing ourselves to the limit,” said Pendleton, who described her fall as “a bit embarrassing”.

“With Anna’s qualifying time being so exceptional yesterday I knew I had to race a lot better than I ever had before. It’s given me a lot of confidence. I thought this was going to be a stepping stone and I was hopeful that I might do a better sprint performance than I did in London at the World Cup.

“I definitely feel I fulfilled that and got the bonus of a world title. I know I was crying, but honestly I am delighted.”

Pendleton’s win was Britain’s fourth of the competition, at the home of their fiercest rivals.

The announcement of Pendleton’s triumph was greeted by joy from the British team pen, but there were audible boos from the crowd, upset that Meares had to settle for bronze.

“There was some pretty interesting media in the days leading up to competition, in terms of giving the Brits a bashing,” added Pendleton, who is set to compete in the keirin today.

“We did feel like it was going to be a tough crowd and a tough environment to perform in. Everyone on the team has already exceeded expectations on what we aimed to achieve. There was talk early doors that we weren’t even going to be here, we were just going to train through to the Olympics. We’re glad we came.”

Meares, who recovered to win bronze, was also crying as she reflected on a day that saw the Olympic momentum swing in Pendleton’s favour.

Meares said: “It was very disappointing to feel that I had progressed to the final – and then to lose so agonisingly. Unfortunately I gave her a second chance and she took full advantage I feel disappointed because I know I am capable of winning. It’s tit for tat. I won in London; she won in Melbourne. If we’re going on that pattern, it’s my turn next.”