Victoria Pendleton admits she is finally missing her bike after turning her back on the velodrome

Retired Olympic star Victoria Pendleton has admitted she is finally missing her bike after turning her back on the velodrome following the Olympics.

The gold medal-winning Strictly Come Dancing contestant originally said it would be a relief to put her years of training in the saddle behind her, but now says she recently felt a "pang".

Writing in the Radio Times she said she felt her days were numbered as a contestant on the BBC1 dance show.

Pendleton avoided the dance-off this week despite finishing towards the bottom of the judges' leaderboard with her paso doble on Saturday.

She said she had been surprised to have lasted longer than a fortnight in the show, and admitted she had little chance of competing against show favourites Louis Smith and Denise Van Outen.

"I don't think I will last much longer, especially when I look at the likes of Louis and Denise," she said.

"I don't know how much more I can actually improve. In short, it would take a miracle for me to pick up that glitterball trophy."

The Radio Times cover star went on: "The other day, I also felt a pang and realised that I haven't ridden a bike in weeks. I didn't think I would, but I've really missed it."

She said she has a "proper girl's bike" which has a basket on the front, and she is looking forward to riding it with her fiance around her home near Wilmslow in Cheshire.

Pendleton said she may be feeling a little "broody" after meeting her dance partner Brendan Cole's pregnant wife Zoe.

"It made me coo so much," she added.

:: The new edition of Radio Times is out today.

PA