Interview: Victoria Pendleton - BikeRadar

Victoria has done a lot for female cycling by just being in it, but i can't help thinking its the male attention she has attracted.

I think there are far more ladies on the roads than ever there was 20 years ago, female specific clothing....bikes and componentry. It's really positive. Rome wasn't built in a day though and it may take another 20 years for parity.

We need to break the "grumpy old man" club scene. Its out of date and boring. Clubs need to market themselves....go ride clubs in the UK need to get mums cycling rather than standing about when their kids are getting coached.

It's a shame that we don't hear so much about Shenaze! Potentially a greater role model for many girls as she's from a more inclusive and cheaper side of the sport BMX.

Anyway, i don't think nail polish and nice hair inspires all women.

Respect.

"determined to retain her femininity"

id say she has suceeded i think shes a bit of a babe.i wouldnt mind being behind her on a long climb.

Keep cycling and keep making it sexy Victoria more of both please.

"Anyway, i don't think nail polish and nice hair inspires all women."

Nope, but neither does 'built like a brick shit house, barely distinguishable gender', women cyclists.

I agree with you point about Shenaze but right now Pendleton has more high profile achievements that people can relate to, and to boot she's very good at her job too. She's no Anna Kournikova, and has actually done something of note in her sport.

Fair play to her for using her looks to promote herself and her sport, and fair play to her for doing so responsibly and on her own terms.

Reading this It struck me that if so few women were competing when Victoria took up track cycling then surely it follows that becoming World Champion wasn't that much of an achievement. It seems time for women to compete on an equal footing with men. Maybe the answer is for women to compete in open events without special womens prizes.

Also, although I am many years from being old myself, if any group should have special treatment and more of their own events, perhaps it is the old men. The article, and some of the anbove comments suggest that they dominate the sport of cycling. Demographically they will be the fastest growing group for years to come.

Maybe it's just because of my experience in this sport and others, but that article has just lowered my respect of that woman.

Dheorl, the woman has achieved in the sport and wants to put her time back into it outside of riding her bike. She's reaping the day to day rewards of her achievements and her raised profile, without any real arrogance (basically just saying 'wow I've worked hard and look what I have been given as a result'), and you say that you have less respect for her...

I've re-read the article several times to try and see where you are coming from, but really I can't. The woman is simply saying that she has actually worked hard, has achieved in her sport and it has put her in a privileged position on and off the track. That's what I read anyway.

Go Vicky, go!

I think it's just some of her generalisations and attitudes. Like I say, this opinion may be down to my personal experience.

Careful - really dumb comments you make. She does compete on an equal footing with men - she competes against women, men compete against men! It's not difficult! To say she should compete in "open" events is like saying Chris Hoy should race Valentino Rossi - it's not comparing like with like.

I really don't see some people's problem with VP. She's a great rider, who seems like a nice person in interviews, who wants to promote her sport, and wants to look good doing it. What's the problem?

Women like Vicky P., Jennifer Hohl, Rochelle Gilmore, Tiffany Cromwell, Nicole Brandli, Modesta Vzesniauskaite, Chantal Blaak, and Emalia Fahlin to name a few are what give pro women cycling spice, and draw more fans to the sport. That's a good thing, not a bad thing, especially since we see so many cross and MB events with women who have mud caked to their face. Track and road cycling gives glamorous women who also might have the genes for cycling a avenue to shine and excel while wearing some of the most stunning lycra kits out there today. If the sport cultivates the right image over time, things will get better, and that's good for all riders, IMO.

After watching the track championships I'd figured out why I have an issue with her. It's a bit of a nasty thing though so I think I'll keep it to myself.

Don't be shy Dheorl! Give us a clue. Is it something sinister?

Judging by the numbers of young girls taking part in winter track racing I'd say she has had a massive influence, ot at least someone has. I'd guess that nearly half the field in a B/C group was female and under 18