Pendleton edges closer to record mark (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Pendleton edges closer to record mark

6:03pm Sunday 5th August 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Defending Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton advanced to the quarter-finals of the women's cycling sprint competition on day four of action at the London 2012 velodrome.

Moments after Jason Kenny moved into the semi-finals of the men's sprint, Pendleton progressed to the last eight of the corresponding women's competition.

The 31-year-old from Stotfold is seeking a third Olympic gold and second in the sprint, which concludes on Tuesday's final day of track action, to become the most successful female British Olympian of all time.

After qualifying in an Olympic record of 10.724 seconds, six-time world champion Pendleton met Ekaterina Gnidenko in the first round and advanced with ease, overtaking the Russian on the back straight and easing to a comfortable win.

Holland's Willy Kanis provided the opposition in the second round and again Pendleton's success was comprehensive as she advanced to the best-of-three last eight.

Kanis was set to have a second opportunity to advance after falling into the repechage.

Friday's victory in the keirin saw Pendleton move level with athlete Kelly Holmes, swimmer Rebecca Adlington and sailors Shirley Robertson, Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb on two Olympic gold medals.