Becky James: “European Championship omission my motivation”

Becky James has revealed she will harness motivation for the opening round of the Track World Cup after missing out on a ride at the European Championships.

Following a dream performance at the British Championships – where the Welsh-woman took sprint and keirin titles and recorded a personal best in the 500 metres – James displayed form that should have put her in the frame for European Championship selection.

However, with Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish travelling to Apeldoorn, James was not chosen to race for a European title and admitted to being on a bit of a downer.

“After the British Championships felt like I was on a bit of a downer and then I got ill. For three weeks I had a sinus infection, which went onto my chest – even if I was picked for the European Championships I would have been too ill to race.

“However, I would have loved to have been there. As it was I sat at home most days on the sofa, seeing what happened and wishing I was there; but that motivated me even more for Kazakhstan, even though I haven’t had the best run into it.”

Despite a lack of track hours, James is unfazed by the proposition of racing with only a week of solid training in her legs and refers to a similar buildup to her British Championship campaign.

“Just before the British Championships I was ill, was forced to take a lot of rest and it did me good. It seems the more rest I get, the faster I go. Before flying out to Kazakhstan I completed a solid week of training and I feel like I’m back on it, another week of rest, then some training on the track in Kazakhstan will do me good.”

James will race the sprint, keirin and team sprint alongside Jess Varnish from Friday with live coverage on British Cycling.