Cycling: Pendleton opts out of Delhi

The world and Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton became the latest British athlete to withdraw from October's Commonwealth Games yesterday in favour of the European Championships, which carry Olympic qualifying points.

"It's a no-brainer, points for Olympics qualification are on offer," the 29-year-old, who won Commonwealth gold in Melbourne, Australia four years ago, said. "Unfortunately you are not going to jeopardise going to the London Olympics, so we have to go to the Europeans."

The clash of the two events has already forced quadruple Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy to withdraw from the Games in Delhi.

"It's really unfortunate we can't do both competitions," Pendleton added.