Victoria Pendleton and Shanaze Reade were today named as The Sunday Times Sportswoman and Young Sportswoman of the year at an awards ceremony in central London.
Pendleton's victory came as a result of her trio of winning rides at the UCI Track cycling World Championships in Mallorca this year where she took Gold in the Keirin, Sprint, and, along with Reade, the Team Sprint. Shanaze Reade struck gold at the BMX World Championships, winning the Senior Women's category .
There are only three world track titles open to women competitors and Pendleton currently holds them all. Men can compete for seven track titles a situation Pendleton slams as sexist in the current edition of Procycling magazine. "We can do exactly what they can on the track."
The Sunday Times 2007 Sportswomen of the Year Awards, in association with Sony Ericsson, which celebrate the achievements of women at all levels of sport, were held at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
Following a terrific season, Victoria was chosen by the judges over the other finalists for the Sportswoman of the Year Award, Katherine Grainger who stroked the GB women's quadruple sculls to world championship glory and Christine Ohuruogu, the winner of the 400m at the World Athletics Championships..
The 2007 Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Award Winners
The Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year >Victoria Pendleton >Triple world champion at the UCI Track cycling World Championships in Mallorca
MCC Young Sportswoman of the Year >Shanaze Reade >As well as becoming BMX World Champion this summer, she also clinched world gold in the Women's Team Sprint
Pindar Team of the Year >Arsenal Ladies >Swept everything before them in 2006-07 to win four domestic and European trophies
Unsung Hero Award >Cherry Alexander >The head of international competition at UK Athletics
The Champions Award >Nicole Arthur >The 20-year-old waterskier became World Slalom Champion this year despite being one of the youngest competitors in the field
University Sporting Achievement of the Year >Jessica Ennis >Finished fourth in the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships, in only her second season as a senior athlete
PE Teacher of the Year >Helen Finbow Woodhey High School, Ramsbottom, Bury
Sony Ericsson Overseas Sportswoman of the Year Award >Carolina Kluft
The Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration >Joanna Gardiner
Sony Ericsson Lifetime Achievement Award >Billie Jean King