Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton has posted an emotional tribute to her father, Max, who has sadly died after a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The cycling legend confirmed that her dad died on Saturday, having also struggled with Parkinson’s dementia.
Her heart-breaking post also paid tribute to her twin brother, Alex, who tragically died in 2023 due to a brain tumour.
‘The picture of Alex and Max is how I want to remember them both not taking the moment seriously,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘On the 11th of October my father Max Pendleton passed away after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease and more recently Parkinson’s dementia.
‘He fought hard to the finish line as he always did. I am so grateful for his dedication to cycling and his unwavering belief in me, even if I didn’t always recognise it.
‘I certainly wouldn’t have achieved anything without him and I am thankful for all I have experienced as a result. He always pushed himself, I admired that in him and tried my best to emulate.
‘More significantly he has encouraged and enabled countless individuals into the sport of cycling. Organising equipment and kit and grass roots, grass track events. Where it all began for me.
‘Rest In Peace.
‘Love you dad ❤️.’
Max Pendleton was also a talented cyclist and former grass track champion, encouraging his children into the sport from an early age.
Victoria would go on to win gold in the spring at Beijing 2008 and in the Keirin at London 2012, adding a sprint silver in her home Olympics as well.
She retired from professional cycling after the London Games in 2012 and went on to become a jockey, riding in the 2016 Foxhunter Chase, at Cheltenham.
Pendleton announced the tragic death of her brother in June 2023, posting: ‘If you know me then you likely know my twin brother Alex, I just wanted to let you know that this morning Alex sadly passed away after an epic battle against an aggressive brain tumour.’
‘He will be painfully missed by many. Rest in peace my kind, brave twinnie, you will forever be in our hearts ❤️ #twinner #betterhalfofme #heartbroken #missyou #wewillneverforgetyou.’
She spoke of her father in a 2014 interview with The Guardian, saying: ‘My dad, Max, was a successful amateur cyclist and most weekends, from May to September, the family would watch him race. I remember standing by the road, waiting for him to go past. It was very exciting and probably what sparked my interest in cycling.
‘He trained me until I was 16 when I got spotted by the national team. I had a complicated relationship with him for many years. I used to feel success in sport would earn me his love but never felt I could please him.
‘He pushed me a lot and I felt a lot of pressure to live up to his expectations. My mum, Pauline, on the other hand, was always very comforting and reassuring. She’d say, “You can only do your best.” They were like yin and yang.
‘After I wrote in my autobiography about how Dad had made me feel, he apologised. But I understand why he was the way he was. There was never malicious intent.’