Victoria Pendleton says she’s “really sorry” to Team GB fans after she and cycling partner Jess Varnish were disqualified from the women’s sprint event.
Hopes of winning another gold for Team GB came crashing down on the first day of action in the velodrome after Pendleton and Varnish were punished for changing lanes too early.
Pendleton, who is competing in her last Olympics, still has two other chances of winning gold in other events – but Varnish doesn’t.
Pendleton and Varnish were judged to have broken the lane change rule
Pendleton told the BBC shortly afterwards: "We have never had an illegal change, so we weren't really thinking about it.
“It's just one of those things that happened. We were probably just a bit too eager and excited for a ride.
"Now and again rubbish things happen and this is one of those days.
“The only positives I can take is that I know I am in really good form because that was the fastest second lap I have done. I just need to get my head down and concentrate on the races to come."
It was a strange day for Pendleton who in her first qualifying round had, with Varnish, broken the world sprint record.
Germany were eventually crowned champions after China were also disqualified.