Pendleton denied third gold medal after British sprint queen beaten by rival Meares
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Great Britain's Victoria Pendleton was denied a golden goodbye and a third Olympic title in dramatic fashion as her perennial rival Anna Meares claimed sprint gold at the London 2012 velodrome.
After watching Laura Trott become a double Olympic champion with victory in the omnium, Pendleton met Meares in the best-of-three final in a repeat of the 2008 gold medal race which the Briton won.
The 31-year-old was aiming to finish her career on a high with a third Olympic gold - a record for a British female - and her superior pace saw her cross the line first in the first bout, but she strayed from the sprinting lane under supreme pressure from the physical Meares and commissaires awarded the Australian victory.
Close call: Victoria Pendleton (right) had her first race victory wiped out after straying above the red sprinting lane line
Pendleton had to respond in the second bout to force a decider and Meares was in front first, watching her opponent.
Meares came to a near halt at the end of the first of three laps, forcing Pendleton to the front.
The Australian rounded Pendleton on the outside and the Briton could not respond as Meares celebrated before the line by punching the air.
It ended hopes of a fairytale conclusion to Pendleton's sensational career and saw Meares take revenge for Beijing.
China's Guo Shuang won bronze with a 2-0 defeat of Kristina Vogel of Germany.
Meares shed her visor in celebration before joining hands with Pendleton as the 2008 champion and reigning world champion paid tribute to the victor.
Head to head: Pendleton (right) and great rival Meares
Photo finish: Meares was beaten by Pendleton but the Australian was awarded the race
Pendleton was in tears as she removed her helmet and the visor which covered her face while the crowd chanted her name.
Mechanics and support staff were also tearful as Pendleton took a bow in the back straight to acknowledge the partisan support as her stellar career came to an end.
Pendleton said: 'I'm just so relieved right now.
'I've been a bit overwhelmed with emotion.
'I would have loved to have won on my final race but I'm just so glad that's it all done and I can move on.'
Great gesture: Pendleton congratulates Olympic champion Meares
Crying shame: An emotional Pendleton after the final
She also paid tribute to Meares, who has been her main adversary throughout her career, and it was perhaps fitting that she bowed out against the Australian.
'I'm glad that it got to that stage,' Pendleton said. 'I think she's the best rider in the field and it's the way that it should have been.
'Everything turned out right with Anna and myself in the final. She's a fantastic competitor, we've met many a time, and I wish her all the best but I'm very glad to be saying that's the last time I have to go through that.'
On her relegation in the first race, she added: "I was really annoyed because I'm sure that she touched me and it caused me to move up.
'I can't believe, twice in one competition, I've been disqualified and relegated, it's unheard of. It's a bit of a surprise, it did knock my confidence a bit I must say.'
PENDLETON - BY THOSE WHO KNOW HER
Victoria Pendleton completed her cycling career with silver on the final day of competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Here those who have worked with her pay tribute to the two-time Olympic champion.
Dave Brailsford, British Cycling performance director
'When she won her first World Championship title in LA, you saw this gritty determination and the never-say-die attitude which propelled her through to becoming a world champion. If you look for every aspect of a true champion, she possesses them. I'm sure she'll take that into the rest of her life. I'd like to say thanks on behalf of British Cycling, because British Cycling owes Vicky Pendleton a huge amount.'
Jan van Eijden, coach
'She's determined and she's very gifted. She's given everything for the sport and she tried everything to be the best. If she had chosen to try for the team pursuit, I think she would've had a good chance to do that. The one thing I will never forget is Vicky was the first athlete I took to the line as a British coach, in Sydney in 2006.'
Mark Ingham, mechanic
'I've been working with her for about eight years and she's a personal friend. There have been ups and downs. The first time she won a World Championships in 2005 in LA she gave me and the other mechanic, Ernie Feargrieve, a handmade card. If she ever feels she needs to come to talk to somebody, she always comes into the workshop in Manchester. She has been a true champion.'
Dr Steve Peters, sports psychiatrist
Peters has worked closely with Pendleton as British Cycling's resident sports psychiatrist, but his abiding memory is from 2005.
Picking a magic moment, he said: 'The joy on her face when she won her first world title in Los Angeles.'
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