Champion Olympic cyclist admits being nervous before investiture

Cyclist Laura Trott with members of the Yeoman of the Guard, after receiving her OBE

After picking up her award from the Prince of Wales, the double Olympic cycling champion said: “I was talking to a soldier who was being honoured and thought maybe I do not deserve this because all I do is ride a bike – that is my day job. I love it but this is so amazing.

“I have been so nervous. It is more nerve wracking than riding a bike plus I am here with all of these amazing people who have done great things.

“I do not really feel I should be here for doing my day job but it has been so exciting – not just for me but for my family.

“There is no pressure in this and I got to see my mum Glenda getting ready to go to Buckingham Palace which is not the sort of thing that happens every day.”

Trott, 21, made a stunning Olympic debut at the London 2012 Games where she rode away to gold in the omnium and team pursuit.

The dominance of the world-beating trio of Trott, Dani King and Joanna Rowsell, has seen them break the record six consecutive times in the team pursuit.

Trott began cycling with her mother, who took up the sport to lose weight.

In last year’s world championships she was part of a cycle squad who not only broke the world record twice in the team pursuit in one day but retained the rainbow jersey for the second year running.

She added another gold and world champion title to her growing collection in the omnium, a few days later.

Prince Charles recognised her as he presented her with the award and said the athletes had done “really good” work at the London 2012 Games.

He asked her if she had to watch what she ate.

Trott, still smiling, replied: “No I ate Maltesers.”

Paralympic equestrian rider Sophie Christiansen said her OBE would take pride of place with her gold medals.

“I like to look at my medals and for them to be out for everyone to see, particularly young kids,” she said.

“I have found that for people to be able to touch and see a Paralympic gold medal is a really special thing so I make sure that I take it in to schools for children to see.”