The athlete on the joy of receiving her first bike, her lonely teenage years, and a life-changing phone call The athlete on the joy of receiving her first bike, her lonely teenage years, and a life-changing phone call Born in Bedfordshire in 1980, cyclist Victoria Pendleton is one of Britain’s most decorated athletes. As well as winning nine world championship golds, she won the gold medal in the sprint at the 2008 Olympics and the gold medal in the keirin (a sprint following a speed-controlled