BECKY James insists that missing out on London 2012 made what she achieved in Rio “so much sweeter”.

The Abergavenny cycling star returned from Brazil last month with two Olympic silver medals in her luggage and a host of unforgettable memories.

Her second places in the women’s keirin and sprint came after the disappointment of not making the Team GB track squad for the home Games four years ago and a long period of injury and illness.

James, 24, a two-time world champion in 2013, is still revelling in this summer’s success, which she was able to share with those closest to her.

“Winning two silver medals in the women’s sprint and keirin at the Rio Olympic Games for Team GB was absolutely amazing – that’s the only way I can describe it,” she said.

“It’s finally sunk in now, a month later. The Games was just an incredible experience, like nothing I have ever experienced before and I loved everything about it.

“I hoped I could medal in the keirin but anything can happen so my thinking was just to get through each round and try and reach the final.

“Coming into the last lap in the keirin final I was at the back and I thought ‘there’s no way I can get around to the front’ so to end up with silver was incredible.

“The crowds at the velodrome were unreal. It felt like I was racing at home because there were so many Great Britain flags – I was not expecting it to be like that, it definitely exceeded my expectations, which was very cool.

“It was brilliant to have 10 of my family out there and it was a big comfort knowing they were there to support me.

“I could see them in the crowd before I raced, while I was warming up, and I knew they would be there for me, win or lose.”

She continued: “Missing out on London 2012 was really hard but it was also the best thing because I won keirin and sprint gold at the World Championships in Belarus the following year.

“Missing London just made everything in Rio so much sweeter and I loved the whole experience of my first Olympic Games.

“The whole of Team GB performed so well, there was such a big buzz in the village. As soon as the medals started coming in people were so excited, the whole team was bouncing off each other.

“I had a good few days before my first race so we watched a lot of events on TV in the flat which really got me into the Olympic spirit.”

After a month away from home, James couldn’t wait to get back to Wales and dachshund Lola.

“I have been soaking the whole experience up over the last few weeks, I went out on the bike and took some time to reflect on Rio and I could not stop smiling,” she added.

“Just thinking about how long ago it was when I was in rehab because of injuries and illness, how hard it was and how far I had come.

“It was such a nice feeling and it put such a big smile on my face. It was amazing to think about what happened – I want to remember it all and enjoy looking back on it.”

*Newtown Motors are proud to have supported Becky James on her road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. To find out more about Nissan’s partnership with Team GB, visit nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite