Pendleton stops just short of announcing her retirement

Victoria Pendleton says that at 30 she is feeling the effects of her ten year professional cycling career. The British champion hasn't been performing as well over the last year as she did during her best days and admits this is due in part to declining enthusiasm, leading many to expect her retirement following the 2012 Olympic Games.

British and World champion Victoria Pendleton has as good as announced her retirement

However, the ex-Word Champion track cyclist won't be going out with a whimper - she says she'll be going for gold and as anyone who has followed her career knows, Pendleton - who has dominated women's track cycling in Britain since 2002 - is a force to be reckoned with on the track.

"I'm excited and enthusiastic about getting back into my training, which I haven't felt in a long time" she told The Manchester Evening News before adding, "It will be the final Nationals this year, the final Worlds - the end of everything. And I want to finish well and end on a high." What better way to do that than by winning a gold medal in her home nation?