James Sets Sights On Rio After GB Call Up

By Ian Gordon

Becky James will put her injury hell behind her by leading a five-strong Welsh contingent in Britain’s World Track Championships squad.

The Abergavenny sprinter made a sensational debut at the 2013 worlds in Belarus by winning two goals.

And she became the first British cycling to win four medals at the championships with two bronzes.

But James was then hit by illness and injury which forced her to miss the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and she only returned to serious action at the end of 2015.

Now James – whose boyfriend is Wales rugby ace George North – can set her sights on competing at this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.

James, speaking to The Guardian, said: “My knee is really good.

“I’ve had no problems, that’s the most important thing. It’s the first time since the world championships in 2014 that I’ve felt like this.

“I’ve been working super hard, I’m getting better and better and enjoying it, so I’m happy because I’m getting more and more out of each training session.

“Everyone has been wary of me doing too much training, so I’ve had to take it into my own hands a bit; if I can’t push myself to the maximum I don’t get the best out of myself.

“Getting the opportunity to ride anything is good, and all the work I’ve done has been for the keirin – to go long, go hard.

“Missing London in 2012 was hard, missing Glasgow was hard but if I can get a spell of consistent good hard work in I can get in a very good place for Rio.

“I believe in myself. I feel like a bike rider again.”

James will be joined by women’s endurance trio Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne and Emily Nelson and men’s team pursuit hopeful Owain Doull.

The quintet will be part of a star-studded British squad that also includes Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish for the championships at Lee Valley VeloPark between March 2 and 6.
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