Pendleton denied golden goodbye

18:05, 07 Aug 2012

Great Britain's Victoria Pendleton was denied a golden goodbye and a third Olympic title in dramatic fashion as her perennial rival Anna Meares claimed sprint gold at the London 2012 velodrome.

After watching Laura Trott become a double Olympic champion with victory in the omnium, Pendleton met Meares in the best-of-three final in a repeat of the 2008 gold medal race which the Briton won.

The 31-year-old was aiming to finish her career on a high with a third Olympic gold - a record for a British female - and her superior pace saw her cross the line first in the first bout, but she strayed from the sprinting lane under supreme pressure from the physical Meares and commissaires awarded the Australian victory.

Pendleton had to respond in the second bout to force a decider and Meares was in front first, watching her opponent.

Meares came to a near halt at the end of the first of three laps, forcing Pendleton to the front.

The Australian rounded Pendleton on the outside and the Briton could not respond as Meares celebrated before the line by punching the air.

It ended hopes of a fairytale conclusion to Pendleton's sensational career and saw Meares take revenge for Beijing.

China's Guo Shuang won bronze with a 2-0 defeat of Kristina Vogel of Germany.

Meares shed her visor in celebration before joining hands with Pendleton as the 2008 champion and reigning world champion paid tribute to the victor.

Pendleton was in tears as she removed her helmet and the visor which covered her face while the crowd chanted her name.

Mechanics and support staff were also tearful as Pendleton took a bow in the back straight to acknowledge the partisan support as her stellar career came to an end.