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Trott launches cycling's London Marathon

Laura Trott with boyfriend and fellow Team GB cycling member Jason Kenny
Laura Trott with boyfriend and fellow Team GB cycling member Jason Kenny Credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Hertfordshire's Olympic champion cyclist Laura Trott has helped to launch the cycling equivalent of the London Marathon alongside London Mayor Boris Johnson.

The double gold medal winner has helped launch an annual cycling event weekend for London which will include a 100-mile "Marathon" bike ride.

The Ride London event will be held for the first time next year.

"This will be a great way of getting people involved with cycling," said Trott, who took gold in the cycling team pursuit and omnium.

Trott has "owned up" to dating fellow double Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Jason Kenny, 24.

Mr Johnson, announcing the new cycling event in Westminster, joked that Trott and Kenny, adding their medals together, were 16th in the world Olympic medal table.

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Disappointment for Pendleton on track

Pendleton and Varnish in action today on the track Credit: David Davies/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Great Britain's Jess Varnish and Victoria Pendleton missed out on a ride-off for Olympic gold after being relegated by officials for a takeover infringement.

Varnish and Pendleton had set a world record in the two-woman, two-lap event in qualifying, seeing the mark broken moments later by China.

The Britons set the second fastest time in the first round and were due to advance to the final against China, who set another world record, but officials ruled against them.

Pendleton was set to resume competition in the keirin tomorrow, but for Varnish the Games are over.

It meant Germany were promoted to the final against China, with Australia and Holland to contest bronze.

Gearing up for Pendleton's gold bid

by Lauren Carter
Pendleton goes for gold this afternoon
Pendleton goes for gold this afternoon Credit: Lauren Carter, ITV Anglia

We're in Stotfold, Bedfordshire, the home town of Victoria Pendleton as she prepares for the team sprint in the velodrome. There's no doubt who the residents will be supporting later today!

Victoria is a poster girl for cycling
Victoria is a poster girl for cycling Credit: Lauren Carter, ITV Anglia
Mayor of Stotfold Brian Collier
Mayor of Stotfold Brian Collier Credit: Lauren Carter, ITV Anglia

"We are enormously proud of Victoria Pendleton's achievements in what she has done and what we hope she'll do in this Olympiad." Mayor of Stotfold Brian Collier

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