After reaching the top of the world, Becky James will aim to be queen of the Commonwealth at Glasgow 2014.
The 21-year-old from Abergavenny won the sprint and Keirin at February’s Track Cycling World Championships in Minsk and next year will bid to improve on the sprint silver and 500 metres time-trial bronze she won as a teenager at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
James was narrowly beaten in a sprint final duel with Australia’s Anna Meares, who went on to win Olympic gold in the women’s sprint at London 2012.
“It doesn’t even feel like that long ago,” James said as she reflected on Delhi. “Being able to ride against Anna in the final, she’s such an amazing athlete, to come that close to her in the final… I couldn’t even believe it myself.
“All the memories are there still and I’m looking forward to Glasgow now.”
Should James and Meares meet again at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome next July she will hope to emulate boyfriend George North, the giant Wales rugby wing who terrified Australia during the British and Irish Lions rugby union tour.
Following her double triumph in Minsk, James went on holiday to Argentina before travelling to Australia to see North in action for the Lions.
She has not had time to dwell on her successes, instead focusing on the next targets.
The 2013/14 season begins in earnest at November’s Track World Cup meeting in Manchester and features next February’s World Championships in Cali, Colombia. Then in July comes the Commonwealth Games, where the women’s sprint competitions will be just as tough.
One person who may not be competing is elder sister Rachel.
The Jameses had hoped to be in a team sprint pairing, but the event will not be part of the games.
Rachel will now train for individual events at the Commonwealth Games or target a place as a tandem pilot rider in the British para-cycling squad.
James will face a stern challenge for Commonwealth gold, with Meares competing, while Jessica Varnish, who trains daily alongside James, will ride for England.
“It’s going to be really tough competition there,” James added. “It’s a really high standard of racing. It will be really good to have a good World Championships and go on and have a better taper and go just as well at the Commonwealth Games.”