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I was very hungry to compete internationally when I was 10 years old, and I was good enough to compete, so that part never made me afraid or worried at all. When I was at my peak, around 12 and 13, I won my junior national and senior national titles back to back.

My first Olympics was Munich in 1972. I am better now than I was then, in knowledge and experience. The age of top riders generally tends to be older than in other sports because it takes a lot of time to be consistent.

I think it's when I won the Youth Olympics I thought, 'I can really get gold in London.'

As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.

I was fortunate to be born when I was. There's been a massive rise in British cycling since I joined the junior programme when I was 17. It all started in 2004 when Chris Hoy won gold for the 1 km. time trial in Athens; when one person starts doing well, they take everyone with them.

Getting the Games for London has been the fulfilment of a dream. It is one which I truly believe can change the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people for the better. But in the end, nothing can quite compare with winning your first Olympic gold medal.

From 15 or 16, I always wanted to be an Olympic champion, but I don't think you ever believe it until it actually happens.

I want to win a gold medal in London.

I won my first medal when I was nine years old. It was at the Boston Open.

I was turning actually 15 at the Olympics in '76... I don't think that one year makes a huge difference.