Olympic champion Joanna Rowsell officially received her MBE from Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace today, in recognition of her remarkable cycling achievements in 2012, according to British Cycling.

Team GB cycling supremo Sir David Brailsford and Laura Trott’s boyfriend, sprinter  Jason Kenny OBE also received their awards, after being named in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

But while Kenny was nervous, Rowsell took the whole event in her stride.

“After the Olympics I don’t think I’ll ever be nervous for anything again,” she said. “I don’t think you can ever have that level of pressure and expectation so I honestly wasn’t nervous.”

After receiving the award, she paid tribute to her parents, saying: “They have supported me ever since I started cycling and back then no one really thought I’d get very far.

“They have supported me and taken me through the tough times.”

Prior to the receipt of Brailsford, Kenny and Rowsell’s honours, British Cycling President Brian Cookson said: “Cycling is the sport that redefined our national sporting identity last year and it was fantastic to see this recognised in the New Year Honours list.

“Sir Dave Brailsford, Jason Kenny and Joanna Rowsell’s honours are well deserved and I wish them all a memorable day.”