Victoria Pendleton has hailed the growth of British women's sprint cycling since her retirement, describing the current squad led by Olympic champion Emma Finucane as “incredible” and admitting she is envious of the opportunities available to today's riders.
The charity race marked the return of Nocturne for the first time since 2018, with professional races taking place on Saturday. Victoria Pendleton can only watch on in awe at the current crop of British female sprint cyclists. Pendleton was the female face of British sprinting during her glittering career that saw her win two Olympic golds and nine world titles.
But the 45-year-old believes the current generation led by reigning Olympic sprint champion Emma Finucane is better than anything the country has seen as she revels in the development of women's cycling since her retirement in 2012.
Pendleton's Reflections on the Current Squad
She said: “Seeing the women's sprint team now is incredible. Having ten women in the squad is something I never experienced. When I started, I was often the only female sprinter among a group of men. For many years, I was the only woman in that discipline, so to see such growth is amazing.
“I'm genuinely envious of that experience and excited to see how much success they'll have. It's fantastic to see how much the sport has evolved since I stepped away. While I sometimes feel envious of what athletes have access to now, I don't want to go back. I'm happy being a spectator these days.”
Pendleton's Legacy and Finucane's Rise
Pendleton was the first British female cyclist to win sprint Olympic gold when she powered to victory at Beijing 2008, before winning silver in the same event four years later at London 2012. Great Britain has only missed out on the podium once in the three Olympics since, with Finucane returning Team GB to the top spot at Paris 2024.
Finucane also teamed up with Sophie Capewell and Katy Marchant to win team sprint gold at the same Games, and Pendleton is honoured to have played a small part in current success.
“Emma is a superstar,” she added. “It's very touching and flattering when she says I inspired her to take up sprinting. I feel lucky and privileged to have been in a position where I could act as a role model during a time when the sport was rapidly growing in popularity. Being part of that journey means a lot to me.”
Nocturne Event and Charity Connection
Both Pendleton and Finucane were in the crowd as the inaugural City of London Nocturne hit the City streets. Pendleton watched on as corporate charity teams took part in a criterium race to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, before the professional cyclists took centre stage on Saturday evening.
The 45-year-old has drifted away from the world of cycling but insisted she would never miss this event, for a cause close to her heart.
“I'm a huge supporter of sport and have been an ambassador and a children's champion for many years,” she said. “I also have a personal connection to Great Ormond Street Hospital, as my twin brother Alex received treatment there for leukaemia.
“The staff were absolutely amazing. To this day, [Alex] has maintained contact with one of the nurses who looked after him, which is fantastic. The hospital does such incredible work in caring for children and supporting their welfare, as well as helping parents.
“They give children a sense of normality through play and education, which is so important. Having experienced Great Ormond Street firsthand, you see the level of suffering and how young and innocent these children are.
“It's heartbreaking and every parent's worst nightmare. Anything that can be done to make the hospital experience more bearable, for both the children and their families, is incredibly valuable.
“Funding goes toward research, improving facilities, and creating better environments for children and families, whether that's outdoor spaces, play areas, or access to more specialists and expert care.”
