Victoria Pendleton is backing former rival Anna Meares to win another gold in Rio
ANNA Meares’ friendly rival Victoria Pendleton believes the Australian champion has the hunger and experience to win another Olympic gold medal in Rio.
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ANNA Meares’ friendly rival Victoria Pendleton believes the Australian champion has the hunger and experience to win another Olympic gold medal in Rio.
Four years after their epic clash in the sprint final in London, Meares is racing in Rio this week while Pendleton is in the commentary box.
The British star said she would be cheering for Meares. who will try to win the keirin in Rio tonight (from 11pm AEST) at 32, the same age as Pendleton when she won the race in London.
Meares was set to open her fourth Olympic campaign overnight when she rode the team sprint with Stephanie Morton.
“More than anything it’s about the psychology of it and being fresh and still wanting it with the same passion and drive that you did,” Pendleton said.
“Having that year after year after year is a really hard thing to maintain. Obviously as you get older you pick up little injuries that make you think more carefully about the way you train, you can’t just do everything anymore.
“But I think it’s having that real desire to win and I think she has that.
“Maybe we haven’t seen that at the world championships, but Olympic Games, she’s very experienced at it, she’s been here, she’s done it, she’s won it, she’ll want it and when it’s a big event she’ll bring it.
“I really wish her all the best from the bottom of my heart most sincerely, because honestly my family (husband Scott) is half Australian now. I’ve got huge respect for Anna, I think she’s an incredible competitor and without her the event would be missing someone fundamental to the sport.
“So I’m a huge supporter. Go Anna.’’
Pendleton did not speak to Meares before this week’s meeting but hopes to interview her in her commentary role with the BBC.
Meares and Pendleton produced one of track cycling’s greatest rivalries over a decade, climaxing with their final clash in the sprint at the London Games where Meares won in three sets.
That rivalry was put aside as soon as they stepped off the track and Pendleton said she was thrilled to see Meares carrying the Australian flag in the opening ceremony last weekend.
“The only thing I was disappointed about was there wasn’t enough camera time spent on the Australian team to see it all,” she said.
“It was only a brief moment and I went ‘there she is, there she is’ and quite a few people texted me and said ‘did you see Anna carrying the flag?’ I didn’t watch many of the countries but at least I watched that.’’
Pendleton retired from cycling after London but gets her competitive fix by riding racehorses as a jumps jockey.
She said it was nice to be in Rio and not feel the stress and anxiety of an athlete.
“It doesn’t feel very real now, it’s actually very unique to be in this Olympic environment and not feel a single ounce of stress or a sense of anxiety,” she said.
“I’ll still be pedalling under the commentary desk going ‘come on, come on’.
“But it’s really strange to be here and feel so relaxed, I thought I’d feel a lot more anxious and uncomfortable but I’ve done Commonwealth Games and world championships and that’s really helped.’’
Originally published as Victoria Pendleton is backing former rival Anna Meares to win another gold in Rio
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