Becky James roared to a brilliant bronze medal at the World Championships in London.

The Abergavenny cyclist put two years of injury and illness hell behind her to finish third in the keirin at the Olympic velodrome.

James showed she will be a major medal contender at the Olympics in Rio this summer with her display.

And James, 24, said: “I cannot believe it, I cannot get my head round it.

“You always want to get gold, but to get bronze after the two years I have been through is just incredible. I am over the moon.

“It’s been a hard work, but this makes all of it worthwhile. Just to be back is great.”

James had kept her cool in the heats earlier in the evening to qualify for the final with a blistering finish.

And she came strong in the final but was just edged out by winner Kristina Vogel of Germany with Anna Meares of Australia taking silver.

James won the keiren in Belarus in 2013 when she also triumphed in the sprint and also took two bronze medals.

But she was then hit by illness and an injury which forced her to miss the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

James was hugged by the British coaches after her bronze in recognition of all the hard work she has done.