BECKY James declared herself ‘over the moon’ after winning a second silver in the Olympics in Rio.

The Abergavenny cyclist produced a stunning performance on the track to finish second in the sprint behind the inspired German Kristina Vogel.

James, who won silver in the kierin on Sunday, was inspired to ease past China’s world champion Zhong Tianshi 2-0 in the quarter-finals and she then won both encounters against the Netherlands’ Elis Ligtlee.

That set up a showdown with seven-time world champion Vogel and despite two fiercely competitive races, James was unable to force a winner-takes-all showdown.

Nonetheless, a pair of silvers is a remarkable achievement by the Welsh rider, who has been plagued by injury and illness.

She said: “I really wanted to win and it's disappointing because I felt so good but she just had the legs on me. She's been an incredible rider and, fair play, she deserves it.

"But I never expected to come and win two silvers so I am over the moon.

"It was a pretty close finish and I thought I might have just had it to go to the third race like we did in the Worlds in 2013 but I am really happy.

"It's so special and it means as much for my family as it does to me."

James’ British teammate Katy Marchant claimed bronze by beating Ligtlee 2-0.