{"id":212212,"date":"2025-10-14T11:38:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T11:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/212212\/"},"modified":"2025-10-14T11:38:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T11:38:11","slug":"victoria-pendleton-pays-tribute-to-racing-cyclist-dad-max","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/212212\/","title":{"rendered":"Victoria Pendleton pays tribute to racing cyclist dad max"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton has paid tribute to her father, who died after a “long struggle” with Parkinson’s disease.<\/p>\n

The Bedfordshire-born cycling medallist posted a photo on Instagram<\/a> of Max Pendleton alongside her brother Alex Pendleton, who died in 2023 with a brain tumour.<\/p>\n

She wrote she wanted to remember them both for “not taking the moment seriously”.<\/p>\n

Of her father, who was an established racing cyclist and organiser of races and events for the sport, she wrote: “I am so grateful for his dedication to cycling and his unwavering belief in me, even if I didn’t always recognise it.”<\/p>\n

“I certainly wouldn’t have achieved anything without him, and I am thankful for all I have experienced as a result,” she continued.<\/p>\n

Pendleton announced that he had died, aged 80, on 11 October, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s dementia.<\/p>\n

As an amateur cyclist, he had been known for hill climbs and grass-track cycling events, becoming the National 8km Grass-Track Champion in 1987.<\/p>\n

In 1990, he began organising grass-track racing at Mildenhall Cycling Club, Suffolk, and continued until 2022.<\/p>\n

Club chairman Mark Burchett said: “He is going to be a big loss from the Club, having been such an active member since 1980. <\/p>\n

“Max wasn’t just a very competitive rider, but off the bike was a gentleman, and we shall also miss the very enjoyable club-rides around his Bedfordshire home.”<\/p>\n

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Max Pendleton could be seen congratulating his daughter after her 2008 victory at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships at the Manchester Velodrome<\/p>\n

Originally from Stotfold, Bedfordshire, Pendleton won nine world titles and three Olympic medals between 2005 and 2012. <\/p>\n

After retiring from cycling, she competed in Strictly Come Dancing and switched to horse racing.<\/p>\n

She wrote: “He always pushed himself, I admired that in him and tried my best to emulate.<\/p>\n

“More significantly, he has encouraged and enabled countless individuals into the sport of cycling. <\/p>\n

“Organising equipment and kit and grass roots, grass track events. Where it all began for me.”<\/p>\n