Victoria Pendleton in awe of Commonwealth Games women’s time trial champion Anna Meares

ANNA Meares' long-time rival Victoria Pendleton has paid her the ultimate compliment by saying she would love to take her place in world cycling.

Rival in awe of super Anna

ANNA Meares' long-time arch rival Victoria Pendleton has paid her the ultimate compliment by saying while she doesn't miss racing one bit, she would love to take her place in world cycling.

As Meares won a record-equalling fifth Commonwealth Games gold medal with victory in the 500m time trial in Glasgow on Thursday night, Pendleton hailed the Australian flagbearer's longevity at the top of her sport.

“I'd love to be her right now because to be that successful and that consistent — and to be part of a team where she is the key, central member must be phenomenal,” Pendleton told News Corp.

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“I know how hard it is to be that good, and to be that good over and over again. It's one thing doing it once but it's a very different story to always having that available.

“To say ‘it's a major games, I'm here, watch this space’, everyone is looking at you to win or to fail and it's hard. And Anna deals with that a lot better than I do.

The smile said it all after Anna Meares’ time trial win.

“Her longevity is incredible, absolutely incredible.

“There's not many women in that pit who have been to as many competitions or had as much success (as Meares).

“I can't honestly imagine what it must be like to be going so strong, and I don't think there's any sign of weakness yet so I'm sure she'll come back from the Comm Games with a few shiny medals, well I hope so anyway.”

Pendleton was watching the track cycling at the Games as a commentator with the BBC and is also appearing on Channel 10 in Australia.

The 33-year-old retired after the 2012 London Olympics as a two-time Olympic gold medallist and nine-time world champion.

Her last race was against Meares in the women's sprint in London when she lost to her long-time opponent in front of a boisterous home crowd. Pendleton spent almost her entire career racing Meares at international level but says the rivalry was made bigger by the media than what it was in reality.

After Meares' win in the 500m time trial on Thursday, Pendleton took to Twitter to congratulate her on a “class performance”.

But she said the healthy competition between the two was good for women's track cycling.

“It (rivalry) made the racing fun to watch and people engaged with it, and a lot of people know Anna very well in the UK and likewise people know who I am in cycling in Australia because there was a profile for the both of us,” Pendleton said.

Anna Meares beats Victoria Pendleton in the sprint final at the London Olympics.

“Women's sprinting (now) is so much better, the field is bigger, there are a lot more countries participating, it used to be small and niche and people weren't really interested but now it seems very popular and I love that.”

Pendleton, who last year married Australian sports scientist Scott Gardner, said she does not miss competitive cycling at all but still rides her bike to the shops and is a keen runner.

“I don't miss the pressure and expectation,” she said.

“Yeah OK when you win it's great, there's nothing better, but there's a lot that goes before that and I've always found it really difficult.

Anna Meares and Victoria Pendleton share a moment after their duel in London.

“The team's always been so successful and everyone is expecting gold but you can't guarantee it, you try your best but I just found it very stressful.

“It's nice to be on the outside and just enjoying it.”

Now when she rides a bike — complete with a basket attached to the handlebars — it's purely for fun.

“I mainly ride to the shops, I've got a basket (on the front) and that's how I cruise around generally,” she said.

“Cross country sometimes on a little track, but I get out and do a few miles sometimes just for fitness.

“I've been running more just for a change, I'd consider doing a half marathon and there are lots of great ones in the UK that would be great fun but I'd need a bit more time to prepare for a full marathon.”

Originally published as Victoria Pendleton in awe of Commonwealth Games women’s time trial champion Anna Meares