Jess Varnish to put gloss on Victoria Pendleton's great career

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In two days' time, the pair will bid to upset the dominant Australian pairing of Anna Meares and Kaarle McCulloch at the Track World Cup event in London.

At 21, Varnish is at the beginning of her career while, for the rider she looked up to growing up, it will be a final year for an athlete who boasts an Olympic gold and eight world titles.

Pendleton, who will compete in the individual and team sprint and the keirin in London this week, has made no secret of the fact that she far prefers training to the rigours of a competition but, looking ahead to the last five months of her career, the 31-year-old finally seems at peace.

"I have come to this conclusion - it's taken me three years - that it's just another bike race on a different track with the same girls," she said looking ahead to the Olympics. "I might win, I might not win but I have no more control than that.

"I am really feeling more relaxed than I have felt in a long time about the whole thing. I am not saying I don't care but it's not life or death. I might make it seem trivial by saying that but that doesn't mean I don't take it seriously because I have spent my whole life trying to be really good at it, if not the best. That's all I can do and I will always continue to do my best. It's in my nature so I have nothing to worry about, do I? I don't want to wish this year away full of dread and anxiety and despair. I want to enjoy it because it will be the last time I do it. That's where I am right now. Whether I stay here or not is the question. I feel really positive at the moment.

"I just want to make the most of every last opportunity that I have. It's kind of weird - this is the last time I will do a World Cup. I feel a little bit emotional because it has been a whirlwind of a short career. You always take it for granted there will be another World Cup."