Queen Vic

AN EMOTIONAL Victoria Pendleton won her third gold medal of the World Track Cycling Championship, in Majorca. The Mildenhall rider added victory in the keirin to the individual and team sprint world titles. Pendleton was outstanding in what could be Brita

AN EMOTIONAL Victoria Pendleton won her third gold medal of the World Track Cycling Championship, in Majorca.

The Mildenhall rider added victory in the keirin to the individual and team sprint world titles.

Pendleton was outstanding in what could be Britain's largest gold medal haul - seven - in any World Championships of any Olympic sport.

Holding back the tears moments after completing her golden hat-trick, on Sunday, Pendleton said: "I can't believe it. In this team a world medal is average but three golds is a little bit special."

In the keirin, a tactical race where riders stay behind a motorbike until the final two-and-a-half laps of an eight-lap race, Pendleton refused to be intimidated by the ruthless tactics of Germany's Christin Muche.

Muche was disqualified for barging the 26-year-old off the track and, after a second false start, Pendleton sat at the back of the field before powering away from her rivals on the final lap.

Pendleton destroyed China's Shuang Guo in the individual sprint final, cruising to a 2-0 best-of-three win, and she teamed up with junior BMX world champion Shanaze Reade to beat Dutch pair Yvonne Hijgenaar and Willy Kanis in the team sprint final.

British Cycling's performance director, David Brailsford, said: "Vicky's progress over the last two years has been nothing short of phenomenal.

"I can't think of any sportswoman in Britain at the moment who can match what she's achieved.

"She didn't just win her races, she annihilated her opponents. She's a phenomenal athlete and next year's Beijing Olympics can't come soon enough for her.