Becky James targeting 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships
By Tom Blackburn
Last Updated: 15/01/16 11:17am
Becky James is relishing being back in a British jersey at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Hong Kong and has set her sights on selection for March’s UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
James returned to the individual sprint at the second of the season's three World Cups, in New Zealand, in December following a long lay-off with a knee injury, but she was unable to qualify from the first round.
Despite that result, she is happy with her progress and wants to prove her credentials in Hong Kong this weekend.
James said: "I'm really enjoying it, which is the main thing, and I'm really looking forward to see what I can do in Hong Kong. Then, hopefully, I can earn selection for the World Championships in London.
"For me to get back to a half decent level at back-to-back World Cups, in such a short space of time, is a massive confidence boost.
"I never thought I would get back to racing in World Cups, so it's a huge bonus to race both New Zealand and Hong Kong and show some consistency.
"It was tough in New Zealand because it was hard to see how much the rest of the world have moved on and how much catching up I have to do."
The double 2013 world champion narrowly missed out on Olympic selection in 2012, and barely two weeks into 2016, she has her heart set on racing in Rio in eight months' time.
She added: "I do ponder the Rio Olympics and World Championships in March, because its keeps pushing me every day to train hard.
"Missing out on London 2012 was tough, but I accepted it at the time and can see it was the right decision. Saying that, I don't want to miss a second Olympics, so it's a huge target to be there.
"2016 is a completely different atmosphere because everyone is fighting for their spots. It has come around so quick and it's a huge year for everyone because we all want to be up there performing with the best in the world."
The Great Britain Cycling Team travelled to Hong Kong knowing there are important Olympic points up for grabs, in James' case she knows it is vital that the sprint team have a good weekend.
She said: "It's an important weekend, but ultimately, it is mainly an opportunity to get the qualification points that the team need.
"Also, on an individual level, I want to prove myself and be competitive ahead of the World Championships. I've got so much more improving to do and so much more hard work to put in after New Zealand."
