Becky James quits cycling a year on from Rio Olympics silver double

Becky James, the two-time Olympic silver medallist and former world champion, has announced her retirement from cycling aged 25.

James won two gold medals and two bronze medals at the 2013 Track Cycling World Championships in Minsk, Belarus, aged 21.

But preparations for the Rio Olympics were disrupted by a chronic knee injury and cancer scare. James responded to claim silver medals in the sprint and keirin events in Brazil.

“Over the past year, I have had time to think about my future and have decided to retire from international track sprint racing,” James said on Thursday. “After 13 years of racing my track bike, it is time to start an exciting new chapter in my life.

“I have given cycling 100 per cent and know how much commitment it takes to make it to the highest level in elite sport.

“The pressure of competing at the top can be mentally and physically draining, but the rewards have been incredible and I have absolutely no regrets.

“I have achieved my dreams of becoming a world champion, a Commonwealth medallist for Wales and becoming a double Olympic silver medallist.

“I now want to enjoy my life without the strict training regime.”

James, who is from Abergavenny, plans to pursue her hobby of baking as a business.

Great Britain head coach Iain Dyer said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Becky over the years, both in my current role as head coach and my previous role as sprint coach during which I worked closely with Becky.

“To see first-hand how she battled back from injury and illness to claim the silver medal in the sprint and keirin in Rio 2016 was inspiring to see and I count it as one of my career highlights.”