Victoria Pendleton and husband Scott Gardner have announced they are separating after five years of marriage.
The British jockey and former cyclist announced the sad news on Twitter, with an official statement that explains how the couple have 'grown apart', even though they tried to make it work.
The message read: 'After 10 years together I am very sad to say that Scott and I have grown apart, despite our best efforts in trying to make our marriage work, we have come to the decision to go our separate ways. It has been an extremely difficult time and a tough decision to make.
'We want to look ahead to the future and stay positive. We would both gratefully appreciate our privacy being respected as we navigate what is a deeply personal time for us.'
Fans of the Olympic cyclist were quick to offer their support, with one saying: 'Sad news Victoria. I find every break up very sad. All the very best to both of you. It’s happened to me so I know how you’re feeling. Believe me when I say that it will get better 😘'.
Another wrote: 'Sadly sometimes relationships run their course and it might not be anybody’s fault. Wish you both all the best for the future.'
Victoria and Scott met at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, while the sports scientist worked for Team GB, and tied the knot in 2013.
However, the two had to keep their relationship private until after the games, when the Australian left British cycling.
She told the Sunday Times in 2012: 'We'd talk endlessly about things and realise how much we had in common.
'We decided to give it a go and were advised to keep our relationship secret until after the Olympics. So we confined it to phone calls."
She added: 'A lot of people felt very negatively about it; team-mates that blamed me because Scott wasn't there to help them and felt I was being selfish; members of staff who felt it was unprofessional, even though we never flaunted it...
'Having Scott in my life is way more important than riding round in circles. I would like to settle down with him for the rest of my life and it was like they expected me to pass that up.'
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