Victoria Pendleton

[WipsGlitter]

Anyone watching this? Me and DP don't think she's coming over very well - a bit "poor me" but you suspect she's a core of steel. And why does she get her own programme - what about the rest of the team?

If her teammates don't like her now they will like her even less after this.

I think she's great, she's had to work incredibly hard, and is very driven....as are all Olympic athletes.

God it's fascinating. Interesting on her r'ship with her father too, thought his reaction to her winning the first world title was very telling.

I think she is amazing! Not poor me at all. She is a v successful Olympic athlete, and rather self deprecating I thought, are we watching the same programme??

I'm not says she's not talented or driven, and very successful, but she just seems a bit... arch maybe. Manipulative.

olympic gold, I lurvess her.

Very interesting, I think the chat about how she needed to be loved and how the struggle with her emotions is her downfall was interesting.

She seemed very torn between insecurity and ambition with insecurity often winning.

Do you think if she had a more in tune female coach it would help, All her coaches are male and seemed to focus on her emotions as issues, a female would use them to her strength?

And to everyone who thinks she's arch or driven, don't you think they all are like that? You don't get to that level without that. TBH she seems the least ego driven person. ( info; I know of an Olympian, he was a monster).

I only caught the second half, but thought it was very telling that even when she won, it didn't seem like "enough" - maybe the nature of the sport and a hyper-self-critical personality, in that even if you win 2 out of 3 races, you could still be aware that you didn't win one of them? Certainly sympathised with her "I didn't want to win like this".

Eve I think you're right. When she was first thought of as potential the only people who were around were male.

Eve that's an interesting point. Tbh I think having her fiancé so close probably means she has someone who totally gets and accepts her back in the coaching team, must be a massive boost.

Agree that all sportspeople must be incredibly driven and self centred. Still wonder why her, why not Wendy Houvenhagle or any of the other Olympians getting their own programme?

There is a series of these programs, it's Tom Daley next week, Matthew pinsent had one done last Olympics.

I imagine not many athletes would agree to be so exposed to a film crew and the tv will want household names.

And if you watch horse and country Carl Hester & Charlotte have their own series & program's.

As did pippa funnel, Peter Charles & many of the equestrian team called getting to Greenwich.

Do you think if she had a more in tune female coach it would help, All her coaches are male and seemed to focus on her emotions as issues, a female would use them to her strength?

What is scary was there wasn't even a male coach who was experianced for a feamle in this sport in the UK, let alone a female coach.

Was good to see a woman talking openly about being competitive, how important winning was, being emotional and still strong etc.

Her father came across v badly.

Just watched this on iplayer and thought she came across really well, she is tough and yet isn't afraid to show emotion. Her relationship with Scott was so good for her personally and professionally and I didn't like her Dad at all, he was jealous of her success and self-absorbed. I really want her to win Gold at London 2012 and leave the sport with her head held high as the best female cyclist. Good luck Victoria if you're a mumsnetter!