British joy at Clancy triumph tempered by outrage at Pendleton controversy
TEAM stalwart Ed Clancy enjoyed a first solo success by claiming gold for Britain in the omnium at the World Track Cycling Championships in Copenhagen.
But there was controversy on the final day of the competition as Victoria Pendleton was forced to settle for silver in the keirin.
Clancy, pictured right, clinched his surprise triumph in the multi-discipline event by winning the final round, the 1km time trial.
Yet the Yorkshireman, who was part of the team pursuit line-up narrowly beaten into second on Friday, insisted he would have preferred to share his glory.
“I’d honestly have rather stood up there with the boys after the team pursuit,” said the 25-year-old. “That was what we really worked hard for and I’ve had a great time working with them over the last few months.
“Having said that, it’s my first individual medal of any colour in the world and one I didn’t really think I would get. It just seems a bit bizarre.”
Pendleton, meanwhile, was denied a ninth career world title despite video replays showing she was obstructed by the eventual winner, Lithuania’s Simona Krupeckaite. Officials reviewed footage before the medal ceremony but decided the result should stand, much to the anger of British performance director Dave Brailsford.
“Those are the rules and they didn’t have the bottle to apply the rules,” Brailsford said. Pendleton added: “Somebody up there is going to have to explain to me a little bit later quite why.”