ABERGAVENNY’S world champion cycling star Becky James is counting down the days to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when she finally gets to represent Wales once again.

Having won double gold at the World Championships in Minsk earlier this year the 21-year-old is a key part of British Cycling’s Olympic Podium Programme leading up to Rio 2016.

But James loves nothing more than wearing Welsh colours and she can’t wait for next summer’s Commonwealth Games where she hopes to improve on a bronze and a silver medal at Delhi 2010.

“Delhi was an amazing experience, seeing all the athletes in the village,” said James.

“I was young and there was no pressure on me and I was delighted to win medals in the 500m time trial and the sprint.

“But this time I know what I’m doing and I’m really looking forward to it.

“You only get the chance to pull on that Welsh skinsuit once every four years and I’m really excited about doing that in Glasgow.

“It was a huge disappointment to miss out on London 2012 so Glasgow 2014 will be big for me,” she added.

“Nearly all the top cycling countries will be there and it will be a tough competition.

“It’s crazy to think that it is three years since Delhi and a lot has happened since then!”

James admits that she does feel added pressure now that she is a double world champion in the sprint and the keirin.

“There is a bit of extra pressure I guess,” she said. “But most of it is pressure I put on myself rather than from anybody else.

“It’s great wearing the world champion’s rainbow jersey but I don’t think my competitors or my teammates treat me any differently.

“It was an amazing achievement but I have to put it behind me now and focus on what is ahead.

“I’ve been struggling with chest infections recently and that has affected my form but I feel like I’m getting stronger now,” she added.

“Hopefully I can have a good year at the world cup events and the world championships in Columbia in February before Glasgow next summer.”

James, who is now based in Manchester, is currently at a training camp in Germany before she jets off for a month in Japan and she struggles to get back to Abergavenny as much as she would like.

“I’ve not been back home in a while,” she said. “I’m hoping to squeeze in a day before I get to Japan but it will probably be Christmas before I spend much time with my family!

“But that is the life of a top cyclist. My family understand that and I love it!”

As a proud partner of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games SSE are encouraging the public to get behind their home nation, and in doing so winning rewards such as tickets, merchandise and money can’t buy experiences during next year’s event. Follow @YourSSE to keep up to date with the latest information