Shock for Team GB's pin-up girl Victoria Pendleton as she is disqualified from cycling sprint race

• British pair adjudged by officials to have overtaken outside allocated section of track
• Relegated from gold medal races after setting world record in heats
• GB replaced by Germany in the final against China

Britain's Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish have been disqualified from the women's team sprint after officials judged they had overtaken too early.
The pair were relegated out of the gold medal final after Pendleton came past Varnish before the designated changeover line on the straight of the track.
Riders must change over within an allocated area, similar to sprinters in a relay race.

Pendleton looks inconsolable after learning of her disqualification from the women's team sprint final

Pendleton and Varnish had set a world record during their heat, though it was quickly overtaken by the Chinese team

Pendleton's face is one of dejection but she still has two more chances to win gold at these Olympics

This means the Olympics are over for Varnish, but Pendleton will still ride for gold in the women's sprint and the keirin.

 

The crowd voiced their displeasure after the announcement was made and the pair were consoled by members of the men's team sprint team, who race later this evening.
They set a new world record in their heat, only for China to beat it minutes later.

Victoria, the model: Pendleton has appeared on the cover of men's magazine FHM and in commercials for hair care products

Germany will now replace Great Britain in the gold medal race against China, while Ukraine and Australia will contest bronze.
Afterwards, Pendleton said: 'It is just one of those things. Now and again, these things happen.
'Overall, we've had a really excellent run and I thought we were in for a gold or silver ride. I guess all I can do now is concentrate on tomorrow.
'We were a bit too overwhelmed, a bit too eager. Jess moves up the track and I just come through, I just go. It's not Jess's fault it's not my fault.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were at the Velodrome for the first night of track cycling

Should to cry on: Pendleton sought the support of fellow British cycling colleague Chris Hoy after learning of her disqualification

Sir Chris Hoy comforts his teammate Pendleton after the disqualification

Rob Hayles, Double Olympic medallist and BBC cycling commentator at the Velodrome explained: 'I believe it was Victoria Pendleton taking over too early.
'There are two points on the straight, and like athletics where you have to hand over the baton, you have to change over within a certain place on the track.
'Vicky must not take over before a certain point or after a certain point and they have changed over outside the allocated area on the track.'

Pendleton (left) and Varnish were favourites to claim a medal in the team sprint before their disqualification

Varnish (left) and Pendleton warm up before the race this evening

BBC pundit said: 'It's the Olympic Games, it's the biggest thing and to spend four years getting ready for it only to lose in a fraction of a second is gut wrenching.'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in the audience at the Velodrome in the Olympic Park and they later saw the British men's team sprint quartet set a world record and win gold.
The win increased Britain's medal haul today to three golds and three silvers - just a few short of 'Super Saturday' at the Beijing Olympics when Team GB won four golds, one silver and four bronzes.