View source for Victoria Pendleton

{{Short description|British cyclist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox cyclist
| name           = Victoria Pendleton 
| honorific_suffix = [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] [[OLY]]  
| image          = Victoria Pendleton 2011.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption        = Pendleton in 2011
| fullname       = Victoria Louise Pendleton
| nickname       = Queen Victoria<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/olympics/cycling/new-track-queen-laura-trott-eyes-victoria-pendletons-crown-8021840.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421082511/http://www.standard.co.uk/olympics/cycling/new-track-queen-laura-trott-eyes-victoria-pendletons-crown-8021840.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 April 2013|title=New track queen Laura Trott eyes Victoria Pendleton's crown|work=[[Evening Standard]]|date=8 August 2012|first=Matt|last=Majendie }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/queen-victoria-delighted-abdicate-202404764--oly.html|title='Queen Victoria' delighted to abdicate|publisher=Yahoo! News|date=7 August 2012}}{{dead link|date=November 2015}}</ref>
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1980|9|24|df=y}}<ref name="Olympic">{{cite web|url=http://www.olympics.org.uk/athleterecord.aspx?at=5690 |title=Victoria Pendleton – Olympic Record |publisher=British Olympic Association |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207001721/http://www.olympics.org.uk/athleterecord.aspx?at=5690 |archive-date=7 February 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/queen-victoria-delighted-abdicate-202404764--oly.html|title='Queen Victoria' delighted to abdicate|publisher=Yahoo! News}}{{dead link|date=November 2015}}</ref>
| birth_place    = [[Stotfold]], [[Bedfordshire]], England
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| height         = {{convert|1.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Olympic" />
| weight         = {{convert|62|kg|lb st|abbr=on}}<ref name="Olympic" />
| currentteam    = Retired
| discipline     = Track
| role           = Rider
| ridertype      = Sprinter
| majorwins      =
| medaltemplates =
{{Medal|Sport | Women's [[track cycling]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{flagu|Great Britain}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Cycling at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]]|[[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's keirin|Keirin]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]]|[[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2005 Los Angeles]]|[[2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2007 Palma de Mallorca]]|[[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's team sprint|Team sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2007 Palma de Mallorca]]|[[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2007 Palma de Mallorca]]|[[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's keirin|Keirin]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2008 Manchester]]|[[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's team sprint|Team sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2008 Manchester]]|[[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2009 Pruszków]]|[[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2010 Ballerup]]|[[2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2012 Melbourne]]|[[2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2006 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2006 Bordeaux]]|[[2006 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2008 Manchester]]|[[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's keirin|Keirin]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2009 Pruszków]]|[[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's team sprint|Team sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2010 Ballerup]]|[[2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's keirin|Keirin]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|2011 Apeldoorn]]|[[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's team sprint|Team sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2009 Pruszków|[[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's 500 m time trial|500 m time trial]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|2011 Apeldoorn|[[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[European Track Championships|European Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 European Track Championships|2011 Apeldoorn]]|[[2011 European Track Championships – Women's team sprint|Team sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2011 European Track Championships|2011 Apeldoorn]]|[[2011 European Track Championships – Women's keirin|Keirin]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2010 European Track Championships|2010 Pruszków]]|[[2010 European Track Championships – Women's team sprint|Team sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{flagu|England}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2006 Commonwealth Games|2006 Melbourne]]|[[Cycling at the 2006 Commonwealth Games – Women's sprint|Sprint]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|2006 Melbourne|[[Cycling at the 2006 Commonwealth Games – Women's track time trial|500 m time trial]]}}
| show-medals = 
| amateurteam2   = VC St Raphael
| proteam1       = Science in Sport / Trek
| proteam2       = [[Sky Track Cycling]]
| amateuryears2  = 2005
| proyears1      = 2006–2007
| proyears2      = 2008–2012
| amateuryears1  = 1988–2004
| amateurteam1   = Mildenhall Cycling Club
}}

'''Victoria Louise Pendleton''' (born 24 September 1980) is a British former [[Track cycling|track]] cyclist who specialised in the [[Sprint (cycling)|sprint]], [[team sprint]] and [[keirin]] disciplines. She is a former [[Cycling at the Summer Olympics|Olympic]], World, [[European Track Championships|European]] and [[Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth]] champion. With two Olympic gold medals and one silver, Pendleton is one of Great Britain's most successful female Olympians.

Pendleton represented Great Britain and England in international cycling competition, winning nine world titles including a record six in the individual sprint, dominating the event between 2005 and 2012. In 2008 she won the [[Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's sprint|sprint]] in the [[2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing Olympics]], and in 2012, she won the gold medal in the [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's keirin|keirin]] at the [[2012 Summer Olympics|London Olympics]], as well as silver in the [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's sprint|sprint]].

She was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in the [[2009 New Year Honours]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58929 |date=31 December 2008 |page=21 |supp=y}}</ref> and [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) in the [[2013 New Year Honours]] for services to cycling.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=60367 |date=29 December 2012 |page=24 |supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/NY2013-honours-London-2012.pdf|title= 2013 New Year's Honoura|access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> As a gold medalist at European, World and Olympic level, Pendleton is also a member of the [[European Cycling Union]] Hall of Fame.

==Early life==

Pendleton and her [[twins|twin]] brother Alex were born on 24 September 1980 at [[Stotfold]], England. Her father, Max Pendleton, was a former British National 8&nbsp;km grass track cycling champion.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

==Career==

===Early years===
Pendleton rode her first race, a 400m event, on the grass track at Mildenhall Cycling Club's [[Fordham, Cambridgeshire|Fordham]] Sports Day and Grass-Track meeting at nine. Pendleton showed her promise at 13 and was spotted three years later by the assistant national track coach, Marshal Thomas. At that time she wanted to concentrate on her education at [[Fearnhill School]] in [[Letchworth Garden City]], and later a degree in [[Sports science|Sport and Exercise Science]] by [[Northumbria University]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. She enjoyed some success on the track as a student before graduating and becoming a full-time cyclist.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article3137815.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724153708/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article3137815.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 July 2008|title=Victoria Pendleton's secrets|work=The Sunday Times|date=6 January 2008 | location=London | access-date=27 May 2010|first=Philippe|last=Naughton}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Eason |first=Kevin |date=21 March 2009 |title=Victoria Pendleton hoping jealousy will get her everywhere |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/victoria-pendleton-hoping-jealousy-will-get-her-everywhere-5l85j982l2g |access-date=5 March 2025 |website=www.thetimes.com }}</ref>

===Cycling career===
Pendleton won one bronze and three silver medals in the [[British National Track Championships]] in 2001, while still a student. Between 2002 and 2004 she was a trainee at the [[World Cycling Centre]] in [[Aigle]], Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uci.ch/training/uci-world-cycling-centre-welcomes-its-000th-trainee/ |title=UCI World Cycling Centre welcomes its 1000th trainee |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=8 May 2015 |website=[[Union Cycliste Internationale]] |access-date=20 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121025235/http://www.uci.ch/training/uci-world-cycling-centre-welcomes-its-000th-trainee/ |archive-date=21 November 2015}}</ref> She qualified for the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] team, finishing fourth in the sprint. She again came fourth in the sprint at the [[2003 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] in [[Stuttgart]] and the [[2004 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] in [[Melbourne]]. She ranked 2nd overall in the World Cup for the sprint in 2004, winning the World Cup event in [[Manchester]].

At the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], she finished sixth in the [[Cycling at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's track time trial|time trial]] and ninth in the 200 m [[Cycling at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's sprint|sprint]].

Pendleton won her first major medal with gold in the sprint at the [[2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]]. She became the third British woman to become a cycling world champion in 40 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2005_14_thu_03.shtml|title=The first British woman to win gold in the World Cycling Championships|publisher=Radio 4, Woman's Hour Interview}}</ref>

At the [[2006 Commonwealth Games]] in Melbourne, she won silver in the 500 m time trial and gold in the sprint.

At the [[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]], she won the [[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's team sprint|team sprint]] with [[Shanaze Reade]], the individual gold in the [[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|sprint]], and a third gold in the [[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's keirin|keirin]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKL016655320070401 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227141602/http://uk.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUKL016655320070401 |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2008 |title=Pendleton completes flawless worlds with third gold |work=Reuters|first=Simon |last=Baskett |date=1 April 2007 |access-date=2 April 2007}}</ref> She crowned the year by being named ''[[Sunday Times]]'' Sportswoman of the Year for 2007, becoming the first cyclist to win the award in its 20-year history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article2906088.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007154654/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article2906088.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 October 2008|title=Victoria Pendleton named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year|work=The Sunday Times|date=20 November 2007 | location=London | first=Robert | last=Maul | access-date=27 May 2010}}</ref> Pendleton was also voted [[Sports Journalists' Association]]'s sportswoman of the year for 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/tra/News2007/20071213_Pendleton_Honoured.asp |title=Victoria Pendleton Voted Sportswoman of the Year |publisher=British Cycling |date=13 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215191453/http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/tra/News2007/20071213_Pendleton_Honoured.asp |archive-date=15 December 2007 }}</ref>

[[File:Victoria Pendleton.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Pendleton celebrates winning the [[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|sprint]] at the [[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]]]]

During her build-up to the Olympics she won two gold medals at the [[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] in the [[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|sprint]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Ollie|title=Victoria Pendleton wins sprint gold despite crash|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17636634|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 September 2012|location=Melbourne|date=6 April 2012}}</ref> and the [[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's team sprint|team sprint]], again with Reade.<ref>{{cite web|title=Victoria Pendleton, Shanaze Reade beat China to win team sprint|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/victoria-pendleton-shanaze-reade-beat-china-to-win-team-sprint-15354/|work=BikeRadar|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|access-date=16 September 2012|date=28 March 2008}}</ref> She was also second in the [[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's keirin|keirin]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jennie Reed wins keirin gold for US|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/jennie-reed-wins-keirin-gold-for-us-15391/|work=BikeRadar|publisher=Future Publishing Limited|access-date=16 September 2012|date=30 March 2008}}</ref> At the [[2008 Summer Olympics]], Pendleton won the gold medal in the [[Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's sprint|sprint]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Briton Pendleton wins sprint gold|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/cycling/7569791.stm|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 September 2012|date=19 August 2008}}</ref>

She retained her title in the [[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|sprint]] at the [[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] in [[Pruszków]]. Each sprint was so closely matched it required several photos, leaving Pendleton emotional but victorious over her Dutch opponent, [[Willy Kanis]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/cycling/article5993406.ece|work=The Sunday Times| title=Proud Victoria Pendleton cries tears of joy| first=Andrew |last=Longmore| date=29 March 2008 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

At the [[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] Pendleton won a silver in the [[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's team sprint|team sprint]], a bronze medal in the [[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|sprint]] and finished seventh in the [[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's keirin|keirin]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/9437841.stm |work=BBC News | title=Aussie Meares outshines Pendleton | date=27 March 2011}}</ref> Partnering [[Jess Varnish]], Pendleton won the team sprint in her only event at the British Championships.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cycling/15138937.stm |work=BBC Sport | title=Sir Chris Hoy wins second gold at the National Track Championships|date=1 October 2011|access-date=3 October 2012}}</ref> At the [[2011 European Track Championships]] Pendleton won the [[2011 European Track Championships – Women's team sprint|team sprint]]<ref>{{cite web|title=British gold medals mask sprint error|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/15404110|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 September 2012|date=22 October 2011}}</ref> and [[2011 European Track Championships – Women's keirin|keirin]] titles, but only came eighth in the [[2011 European Track Championships – Women's sprint|sprint]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams |first=Ollie |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/15422447 |title=Euro Track Cycling: Victoria Pendleton leads haul of four British golds  | work=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=7 July 2012}}</ref>

In February 2012, Pendleton and Varnish set a new world team sprint record of 32.754 seconds, beating [[Kaarle McCulloch]] and [[Anna Meares]] of Australia at the Track World Cup in the [[London Velodrome]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Track World Cup: Great Britain win two golds at Olympic Velodrome|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17078405|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 April 2012|date=17 February 2012}}</ref> In the sprint and the keirin Pendleton came 4th and 5th respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17085375 |title=Track World Cup: Sir Chris Hoy and Joanna Rowsell win gold  | work=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2012 |access-date=7 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17089994 |title=Track World Cup: Sir Chris Hoy storms to sprint gold in London  | work=BBC Sport |date=19 February 2012 |access-date=7 July 2012}}</ref> In Pendleton's final [[2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships]] she won the [[2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Women's sprint|sprint]], her sixth title. She fell in the first heat of the semi-final against Meares. In the second heat Meares was relegated for going outside her lane. In the decider Pendleton won in a photo finish before defeating [[Simona Krupeckaitė]], winning 2–0 with the second win coming from another relegation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Track Worlds: Victoria Pendleton wins sprint gold despite crash|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17636634|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 April 2012|date=6 April 2012}}</ref> Pendleton finished without medals in her other two events.<ref>{{cite web|title=Track Worlds: Great Britain beat Australia with world record|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17608188|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 April 2012|date=4 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Track Worlds: Laura Trott wins omnium as Kenny beats Hoy|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17644175|work=BBC Sport |access-date=16 April 2012|date=7 April 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Victoria Pendleton2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Pendleton celebrates winning the [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's keirin|keirin]] at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.]]

At the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], Pendleton and Varnish broke the world record in the qualifying stages of the [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's team sprint|team sprint]] before being relegated in the semi-finals.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/cycling/9450794/Jessica-Varnish-I-will-never-watch-nightmare-moment-when-my-London-Olympic-dream-was-shattered.html Jessica Varnish: I will never watch nightmare moment when my London Olympic dream was shattered] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401012625/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/cycling/9450794/Jessica-Varnish-I-will-never-watch-nightmare-moment-when-my-London-Olympic-dream-was-shattered.html |date=1 April 2016 }}. www.telegraph.co.uk. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.</ref> She recovered to win a gold medal in the [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's keirin|keirin]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/cycling/9450736/Victoria-Pendleton-wins-gold-in-the-womens-keirin-at-London-2012-Olympics.html Victoria Pendleton wins gold in the women's keirin at London 2012 Olympics] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401115304/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/cycling/9450736/Victoria-Pendleton-wins-gold-in-the-womens-keirin-at-London-2012-Olympics.html |date=1 April 2016 }}. www.telegraph.co.uk. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2012.</ref> Pendleton set a new Olympic record of 10.724 seconds in the qualifiers of the [[Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's sprint|sprin]]t<ref>[http://www.london2012.com/cycling-track/event/women-sprint/records/index.html Women's Sprint : Records] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426141310/http://www.london2012.com/cycling-track/event/women-sprint/records/index.html |date=26 April 2013 }}. London 2012 official website.</ref> but lost in the final to Anna Meares, after being controversially relegated<ref>[http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/australian-anna-meares-wins-individual-sprint-165441560--spt.html Meares outsprints arch-rival Pendleton] {{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}. Reuters. 7 August 2012.</ref> in the first run and being beaten in the second run, earning a silver medal. This would be Pendleton's final competitive race as she retired from professional cycling.<ref>Eddie Allen (7 August 2012).[http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/article/gbr20120807-Relief-for-Pendleton-after-sprint-swansong--%E2%80%9CI-can-t-believe-it-s-all-over%E2%80%9D-0 Relief for Pendleton after sprint swansong: “I can't believe it's all over”] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825060123/http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/gbcyclingteam/article/gbr20120807-Relief-for-Pendleton-after-sprint-swansong--%E2%80%9CI-can-t-believe-it-s-all-over%E2%80%9D-0 |date=25 August 2016 }}. www.britishcycling.org.uk.</ref>

===Horse racing and other sports===
In March 2015, Pendleton announced her intention to become a jockey with the aim of competing at the [[Foxhunter Chase]] at the 2016 [[Cheltenham Festival]], with guidance from horse trainer [[Paul Nicholls (horse racing)|Paul Nicholls]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/31763131 |title=Victoria Pendleton wants to race at Cheltenham in 2016 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=6 March 2015 |website=[[bbc.co.uk]]|access-date=6 March 2015}}</ref> She made her competitive debut in August 2015, finishing second in the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders' Handicap at [[Ripon Racecourse|Ripon]] riding Royal Etiquette.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/34109738 |title=Victoria Pendleton second on competitive amateur jockey debut |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=31 August 2015 |website=[[bbc.co.uk]] |access-date=31 August 2015}}</ref> She won her first race on 2 March 2016, guiding 5–4 favourite Pacha Du Polder to victory at [[Wincanton Racecourse|Wincanton]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Victoria Pendleton: Olympic cyclist wins first race as a jockey|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/35709885|access-date=2 March 2016|work=BBC Sport|date=2 March 2016}}</ref>

On 18 March 2016, Pendleton, again riding Pacha Du Polder, achieved her ambition of participating in the 2016 Foxhunter Chase, at [[Cheltenham Racecourse|Cheltenham]], outperforming many pundits' expectations by finishing fifth. She described the result as "probably the greatest achievement of my life".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/35845695|title=Cheltenham 2016: Victoria Pendleton 'overwhelmed' with fifth place|work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 March 2016}}</ref>

On 19 July 2017, at invitation of [[English Heritage]], she spent a bootcamp day at [[Kenilworth Castle]] to learn the basic trainings of the medieval sport of [[jousting]]. She stated afterwards: "I have a huge amount of respect for the sport now – much greater than before – and I think people would be surprised to learn how numb your senses are when dressed in armour top-to-toe."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/blog/blog-posts/victoria-pendleton-my-day-as-a-jousting-knight/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2xSwwsfvAaytHvD2YQPqgbJakeLg5lOeFJwtS__kNa3m_ILblyu8jcDAM_aem_Ad1hR6_B84qwCYAlbVYFP0AyAP-kYx4-UqeMyOGC8WwGiUnQF3gg2lLJ_MJrgh6r0DvnN_oQ3UAdQJnIrkjH-Ms4|title=Victoria Pendleton: My Day as a Jousting Kight|access-date=19 July 2017}}</ref>

==Outside sport==
[[File:Victoria Pendleton Postbox Stotfold 2017.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Gold postbox in honour of Pendleton in [[Stotfold]]]]

Pendleton featured on the cover of the July 2009 issue of men's magazine ''[[FHM]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=French |first=Paul |title=Victoria Pendleton changes gear for FHM! |url=http://www.fhm.com/girls/victoria-pendleton-changes-gear-for-fhm-20090526 |work=[[FHM]] |publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]] |access-date=16 April 2012 |date=26 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420035731/http://www.fhm.com/girls/victoria-pendleton-changes-gear-for-fhm-20090526 |archive-date=20 April 2012 }}</ref> She featured in the January 2012 issue of ''[[Harper's Bazaar]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://victoriapendleton.co.uk/victoria-in-stunning-harpers-bazaar-shoot-2011-12-06.html|title=Victoria in stunning Harper's Bazaar shoot|work=Victoria Pendleton official website|date=6 December 2011|access-date=14 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420061907/http://victoriapendleton.co.uk/victoria-in-stunning-harpers-bazaar-shoot-2011-12-06.html|archive-date=20 April 2012}}</ref> In February 2012, [[Halfords]] released a Pendleton branded range of women's bikes including the Somerton (a [[city bike]]), the Initial (a [[road bicycle]]) the Brooke and the Dalby (both [[hybrid bicycle|hybrid bikes]]) on which Pendleton herself had worked as a design consultant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/victoria-pendleton-halfords-team-up-for-womens-cycle-range-33080/ |title=Victoria Pendleton & Halfords Team Up For Women's Cycle Range |publisher=BikeRadar |date=3 February 2012 |access-date=22 August 2012}}</ref> She was a "brand ambassador" for [[Pantene]] hair-care products in the advent to London 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://victoriapendleton.co.uk/victoria-to-be-the-pantene-pro-v-ambassador-for-pg-2011-11-30.html|title=Victoria to be the Pantene Pro V Ambassador for P&G|work=Victoria Pendleton official website|date=30 November 2011|access-date=14 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203231252/http://victoriapendleton.co.uk/victoria-to-be-the-pantene-pro-v-ambassador-for-pg-2011-11-30.html|archive-date=3 December 2011}}</ref> She was the subject of a [[BBC]] television programme which first aired in July.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l1yl4 | title=Victoria Pendleton: Cycling's Golden Girl |work=BBC News  | date=24 July 2012 | access-date=3 August 2012}}</ref>

Pendleton was a contestant on [[Strictly Come Dancing (series 10)|series 10]] of ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/strictly-come-dancing-olympians-victoria-pendleton-and-louis-smith-to-dance-alongside-johnny-ball-and-fern-britton-8121822.html | title=Olympians Victoria Pendleton and Louis Smith to dance alongside Johnny Ball and Fern Britton | work=[[London Evening Standard]] | date=10 September 2012 | access-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> in which her professional partner was [[Brendan Cole]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/912088-strictly-come-dancing-judges-praise-victoria-pendletons-perfect-pairing | title=Strictly Come Dancing judges praise Victoria Pendleton's 'perfect' pairing | publisher=Metro | work=metro.co.uk | date=15 September 2012 | access-date=16 September 2012}}</ref> She was the seventh of the fourteen celebrities to leave the show on 25 November.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/posts/Victoria-Pendleton-leaves-Strictly | title=Victoria Pendleton leaves Strictly| work=BBC | date=25 November 2012 | access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>

Pendleton's autobiography ''Between the Lines'' was published following her retirement in September 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bathurst|first=Bella|title=Between the Lines by Victoria Pendleton – review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/sep/21/victoria-pendleton-between-lines-review|work=The Observer|access-date=28 September 2012|date=21 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cleave|first=Chris|title=Between the Lines: The Autobiography by Victoria Pendleton with Donald McRae: review|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/9555455/Between-the-Lines-TheAutobiography-by-Victoria-Pendleton-withDonald-McRae-review.html|work=The Telegraph|access-date=28 September 2012|date=20 September 2012}}</ref>

At the [[Conservative Party (UK)|2014 Conservative Party Conference]], Pendleton introduced the [[Secretary of State for Education]] [[Nicky Morgan]] before her keynote speech on 30 September, speaking about the importance of sport in education. She said, "if you want more children to leave school healthy and prepared for life in modern Britain, with everything that will be thrown at them, you might as well give them a sporting chance."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29429983|title=Victoria Pendleton makes surprise Tory appearance|date=30 September 2014 |work=BBC News|access-date=18 March 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, Pendleton partnered with [[Clinique]], joining as a Difference Maker for the Clinique Difference Initiative,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clinique.com.au/difference-makers|title=Difference Makers}}</ref> with an aim to inspire women and support the provision of educational and healthcare support.

In May 2018, she was forced to abandon a charity [[Mount Everest in 2018|Everest ascent]] that she was doing with TV presenter [[Ben Fogle]] at Base Camp 2 at 6400&nbsp;m (20,977&nbsp;ft) when she experienced hypoxia, caused by a lack of oxygen. Fogle managed to reach the summit.<ref>{{cite news|title=Victoria Pendleton leaves Everest climb on medical advice| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-44006678}}</ref> It took her three weeks of antibiotics to get over chest and ear infections.<ref>{{cite news|title=Victoria Pendleton: 'Oxygen deprivation on Everest has left me battling depression'| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/26/victoria-pendleton-oxygen-deprivation-everest-has-triggered/}}</ref>

On Tuesday 23 July 2024, Pendleton was made Honorary Colonel and corps ambassador to [[HM Royal Marines]] alongside explorer [[Dwayne Fields]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Olympian Victoria Pendleton and explorer Dwayne Fields named as Royal Marines ‘ambassadors’| url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2024/july/24/240724-rm-honorary-colonels |accessdate=23 October 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Pendleton's relationship with Scott Gardner, a sports scientist with the British Cycling coaching team, caused some problems for the couple, as it was felt to be unprofessional for two members of the team to be romantically involved.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/17577971| title=Victoria Pendleton admits British Cycling friction over relationship|work=BBC Sport|date=2 April 2012| access-date=2 April 2012}}</ref> Following the 2008 Olympics, when it became more widely known, Gardner was obliged to leave the team, though he was later re-hired. Pendleton and Gardner married in September 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/2013090914486/victoria-pendleton-marries-scott-gardner/|title=Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton and Scott Gardner tie the knot|date=9 September 2013|work=Hello Magazine|access-date=14 November 2013}}</ref> In July 2018, Pendleton announced the break up of her marriage.<ref>{{cite news |title=Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton and husband Scott Gardner separate |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44705646 |access-date=22 April 2020 |work=BBC News |date=3 July 2018}}</ref>

For her 30th birthday, Pendleton had a line from [[The Smashing Pumpkins]]' song "[[Today (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Today]]" tattooed onto her right arm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/8396055/London-2012-Olympics-British-cycling-star-Victoria-Pendleton-admits-she-hates-racing.html|title=London 2012 Olympics: British cycling star Victoria Pendleton admits she 'hates' racing |work =The Telegraph|date=3 August 2012|access-date=3 August 2012 |first=Ian |last=Chadband}}</ref> In 2012, she was living in [[Wilmslow]], [[Cheshire]],<ref>{{cite news|title=My Perfect Sunday: Victoria Pendleton |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9027255/My-Perfect-Sunday-Victoria-Pendleton.html |work=The Telegraph |date=24 January 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012}}</ref> but subsequently moved to the [[Chilterns]].{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

In 2019, Pendleton stated that she had suffered severe depression and had contemplated suicide after her failed Everest expedition, and an "unpleasant" divorce from her husband.<ref>{{cite news |title=Victoria Pendleton: Olympic champion 'turns corner' after suicide thoughts |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/46970230 |access-date=22 April 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=23 January 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|date=29 April 2021|title=The Dog House on C4: Who is Victoria Pendleton and what is she famous for?|url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/the-dog-house-on-c4-what-is-victoria-pendleton-famous-for-and-is-she-single-after-her-divorce/|access-date=25 July 2021|website=Entertainment Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Elton|first=Danielle|date=12 July 2021|title=Channel 4's The Dog House is looking for potential adopters|url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/channel-4s-dog-house-looking-21010513|access-date=25 July 2021|website=CambridgeshireLive}}</ref>

In 2019, Pendleton competed on Channel 4's ''[[Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins]]'' for [[Stand Up to Cancer (UK)|Stand Up to Cancer]] (SU2C).<ref>{{cite web|title=Victoria Pendleton compares Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins to Olympics: 'It's harder'|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/celebrity-sas-who-dares-wins-victoria-pendleton/|access-date=25 July 2021|website=Radio Times}}</ref> During COVID-19 in 2020, she posted on Instagram that she was fortunate to share lockdown with Louis Tinsley, ex-SBS operator and co-founder of clothing firm ThruDark, whom she is dating.<ref>{{cite web|title=Louis Tinsley {{!}} ThruDark Co-founder & Former SBS operator|url=https://thrudark.com/louis-tinsley-bio/|access-date=25 July 2021|website=ThruDark}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Pendleton was accused of creating a "toxic atmosphere" during the filming of ITV's ''Don't Rock the Boat'' in November 2020 by crew mate [[Craig Charles]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Craig Charles and Victoria Pendleton clash in "toxic" Don't Rock the Boat red crew|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/craig-charles-victoria-pendleton-dont-rock-news/|access-date=25 July 2021|website=Radio Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=5 November 2020|title=Don't Rock the Boat: Victoria Pendleton hits back at critics|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20201105100327/dont-rock-the-boat-victoria-pendleton-hits-back-criticism/|access-date=25 July 2021|website=HELLO!}}</ref> Defending herself she suggested her twin brother, Alex, as a man, would have been treated differently. In 2021, she co-commentated on the women's road racing cycling final as part of the BBC's Olympic 2020 coverage as their pundit in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|title=All the Tokyo 2020 Olympics pundits on BBC – meet the presenters and commentators|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/tokyo-olympics-2020-pundits-presenters/|access-date=25 July 2021|website=Radio Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Benson |first=Daniel |title=Olympics: Shock gold for Anna Kiesenhofer in women's road race|url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/olympic-games-2021/women-s-road-race/results/|access-date=25 July 2021|website=cyclingnews.com|date=25 July 2021 }}</ref> In January 2025, she appeared on an episode the [[Channel 4]] show ''[[The Dog House (TV series)|The Dog House]]'' in which she adopted a rescued [[Rhodesian Ridgeback]] named Leilo.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbdBAEu1LnY |title=Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton rescues homeless dog {{!}} The Dog House 🐶 {{!}} Dog Stories |date=27 January 2025 |last= |publisher=[[Channel 4]] |access-date=27 January 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In June 2023, she announced that her brother, Alex, had died from a brain tumour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton reveals heartbreak after twin brother dies |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cycling/victoria-pendleton-twin-brother-dies-b2362410.html |website=The Independent |access-date=24 June 2023 |date=22 June 2023}}</ref>

==Palmarès==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=October 2017}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
;2002
:[[British National Track Championships|National Track Championships]]
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
;2003
:National Track Championships
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Keirin
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Scratch race
;2004
:National Track Championships
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
;2005
:1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Sprint, [[2005 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
:National Track Championships
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Keirin
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Scratch Race
;2006
:[[2006 Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games]]
::1st [[File:Gold medal blank.svg|15px|link=Gold medal]] Sprint
::2nd [[File:Silver medal blank.svg|15px|link=Silver medal]] Time trial
:2nd [[File:Silver medal blank.svg|15px|link=Silver medal]] Sprint, [[2006 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
:National Track Championships
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Keirin
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Scratch race
:1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] [[British National Derny Championships|National Derny Championship]]
;2007
:[[2007 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
::1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Team sprint (with [[Shanaze Reade]])
::1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Keirin
:National Track Championships
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Keirin
:1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] National Derny Championship
;2008
:1st [[File:Gold medal.svg|15px|link=Gold medal]] Sprint, [[2008 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]
:[[2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
::1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Team sprint (with [[Shanaze Reade]])
::2nd [[File:Silver medal blank.svg|15px|link=Silver medal]] Keirin
:National Track Championships
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Team sprint (with [[Anna Blyth]])
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Keirin
:3rd Sprint, Grand Prix de Vitesse de Saint Denis 
;2009
:[[2009 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
::1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Sprint
::2nd [[File:Silver medal blank.svg|15px|link=Silver medal]] Team sprint (with [[Shanaze Reade]])
::3rd [[File:Bronze medal blank.svg|15px|link=Bronze medal]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
:National Track Championships
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] 500&nbsp;m time trial
::1st [[File:MaillotReinoUnido.PNG|20px|link=National cycling champion jersey]] Sprint
;2010
:[[2010 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
::1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Sprint
::2nd [[File:Silver medal blank.svg|15px|link=Silver medal]] Keirin
;2011
:1st [[File:Gold medal blank.svg|15px|link=Gold medal]] Team sprint (with [[Jessica Varnish]]), [[European Track Championships]]
:[[2011 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
::2nd [[File:Silver medal blank.svg|15px|link=Silver medal]] Team sprint (with Jessica Varnish) 
::3rd [[File:Bronze medal blank.svg|15px|link=Bronze medal]] Sprint
;2012
:[[2012 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]
::1st [[File:Gold medal.svg|15px|link=Gold medal]] Keirin
::2nd [[File:Silver medal.svg|15px|link=Silver medal]] Sprint
:1st [[File:Jersey rainbow.svg|20px|link=Rainbow jersey]] Sprint, [[2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships|World Track Championships]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports|Olympics}}
* [[List of multiple Olympic gold medalists]]
* [[List of Olympic medalists in cycling (women)]]
* [[2012 Olympics gold post boxes in the United Kingdom]]
* [[List of British cyclists]]
* [[Cycle Republic]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book | last=Pendleton | first=Victoria | title=Between the Lines: The Autobiography | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phvNygAACAAJ | access-date=26 February 2013 | year= 2012 | publisher=[[HarperCollins]] | location=London | isbn=978-0-00-732752-2 }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Victoria Pendleton}}
*{{Official website|http://victoria.three60sports.co.uk/index.html}}
*[http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/victoriapendleton British Cycling profile]
*[http://www.mildenhallcc.org.uk Mildenhall Cycling Club]

{{Footer Olympic Champions Track Individual Sprint Women}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions Keirin Women}}
{{UCI Track Cycling World Champions – Women's sprint}}
{{UCI Track Cycling World Champions – Women's keirin}}
{{UCI Track Cycling World Champions – Women's team sprint}}
{{British Cycling Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pendleton, Victoria}}
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