Becky James still coming to terms with Worlds success

Becky James and Victoria Williamson, bronze in women's team sprint, Track World Championships 2013, day one

Great Britain's new golden girl Becky James admits that she still hasn't come to terms with her success at the World Track Championships in Minsk, after which she returned home with four medals around her neck.

The 21 year old from Abergavenny has been in demand after becoming the first British rider to claim so many medals, which included two golds in the individual sprint and keirin.

"It still hasn't sunk in," she explained to CW. "I think it will take until I'm relaxing and not doing anything for it to actually sink in properly because I've been so busy since I got back."

James has been inundated with media interviews since returning home, finding time to celebrate with friends and family on Tuesday evening. With her medals and jerseys "hanging up downstairs in my house somewhere," James' begins her two-week holiday today and is looking forward to resting and reflecting on her performance.

"I'm completely off my bike now until the March 18," she added, "just taking it easy and letting my body rest.

"I think it will feel a little bit more real when I come back, and I'll have time to reflect on things when I'm on holiday. I haven't had time to think about it yet, I've just been taking it all in and enjoying every moment of it."

With the Rio Olympics three years away, and the Commonwealth Games taking place in just 17 months, James is looking forward to seeing just how good she can be.

"I'm looking forward to sitting down with my coach and talking over what we can change to make myself improve that little bit more.

"Hopefully each year I can get a great, great base of training behind me like I did last year and just keep progressing."

To read more about Great Britain's next generation of stars and a full round-up of the 2013 Track World Championships, pick up a copy of this week's Cycling Weekly, out today (February 28).

Related links

Becky James adds keirin world title to sprint win

Becky James becomes sprint world champion

Becky James: Rider Profile

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Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.