The proposed track reform hasn’t gone down with many riders due to the expected scrapping of key events such as the individual pursuit. Victoria Pendleton is one who is likely to benefit, though, as she will have the chance to increase her one gold medal in Beijing to a possible three.
The 29 year old was in action in the past fortnight, winning the sprint, keirin and 500 metre time trial titles at the British national championships, and then taking gold and silver in the sprint and 500 metre TT in last weekend’s World Cup.
Pendleton has been working with her coaches to try out some new ideas. The plan is to constantly push for improvements in order to ensure she stays ahead of the opposition as Londond 2012 approaches.
“It’s mainly been a change in emphasis,” she told the Telegraph newspaper. “We’ve gone for much shorter, higher-intensity sessions. The jury is open a little but I do know that I arrived at the Nationals in Manchester last week in the best early-season shape of my life.
“My thoughts started turning to London 2012 the day we landed back at Heathrow from Beijing. The London Games seem to be rushing our way at an incredible pace. I am very conscious of making every second count.”
Pendleton and the other Olympic medallists such as Chris Hoy have experienced a big increase in publicity since Beijing, and become known to the mainstream public thanks to high-profile advertising campaigns. Pendleton has also done some modelling. In less than three years times the Games will take place in London and while she undoubtedly be in the spotlight, she insists that this won’t overwhelm her.
“Of course it’s going to be massive but I’m not overly worried about home-town pressure,” she said. “It can’t be any more pressure than China where I arrived as the strong favourite, had to hang around while all our other riders were winning their golds and then actually deliver.
“I think the pressure at London is going to be all good. Our generation will never have such an event to savour again.”