Edinburgh cycling star Emma Baird has insisted her British Cycling Championships clash with world number one Victoria Pendleton will inspire her to knuckle down in pursuit of an international career.

The 20-year old was competing in her first national championships having only turned her attention to cycling six months ago after persistent shin injuries brought the curtain down on a burgeoning football career.

But the Scot has taken to the saddle like a duck to water and smashed her time trial personal best to finish ninth before qualifying for the sprint quarter finals to face reigning Olympic champion Pendleton.

And although Baird couldn’t quite pull off the upset of the weekend and beat her decorated rival, the young Scot insisted she wouldn’t forget the experience in a hurry.

“It’s such a big step to be up against someone like her and it was surreal and very nerve-wracking,” said Baird.

“I really wasn’t expecting to get through qualifying so then to be up against Vicky was a massive shock.

“She is the person I aspire to be like in cycling so to be racing against her so soon into my career was fantastic and a big inspiration for me.”