Australia finished top of the medals table, with 11 medals, eight of them gold, with Britain - the dominant force of recent years - dropping to fourth with one gold, three silver and five bronze at the end of a final day in which Olympic champion Pendleton admitted she was feeling short of her best form.

Pendleton, 30, had won silver in the team sprint and bronze in the individual sprint earlier in the Championships, but she missed out on a final chance of a medal when she was knocked out in the semi-final of the keirin.

However, British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford said he was unconcerned by the Aussie dominance in a Championships where the team lost omnium riders Lizzie Armitstead - to injury - and Ed Clancy, the world champion, to illness.

The GB team had opted to focus on the 10 events of the 19 on offer in Apeldoorn that will be part of the Olympic programme in 2012.

"We came here to look at and compete for Olympic medals," he said.

"We were down to eight events that we focused on and we medalled in seven.

"In those seven events we're really close.

"Can we progress?

"I think we can."

"We've set the bar so high that if we don't get gold, people ask what's going on but we're still on the podium.

"I think we've got more to give but I think it's a good thing.

"In the short term it's not very nice but in the long term it's a very healthy thing."


Pendleton said: "I was really disappointed with my performances in the early rounds. I was hesitant and that's the worst mistake you can make in the keirin."

She said of Meares: "She had a fantastic competition, she's in the form of her life.

"I don't feel too despondent because I know I'm not in the best form of my life.

"I know when the training and preparation is right it will come together.

"The goal I'm looking for is an Olympic medal.

"None of this seems to matter in comparison.

"That's what I'm, aiming for and that's what I'm dedicating my whole life towards."

Meares, the Olympic 500m time trial champion in 2004, followed team sprint gold with her first world individual sprint title yesterday.

And Australia coach Gary Sutton believes the victory marked a change in the 27-year-old.

"Anna's a very special athlete," he said.

"To me she is the complete package, as Sir Chris Hoy is.

"Before she lacked a bit of confidence but now she believes in herself and more importantly she believes in the people around her.

"It's one she really wanted to win and I think that's a turning point for her.

"You could see the emotion.

"Victoria has always been a step ahead [before]."

Leigh Howard and Cameron Mayer won Australia's other gold of the final day, in the Madison.

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