Becky James clinched the European U23 women's sprint title in Saint-Petersburg on Monday, coming from a race down to beat French rival Virginie Cueff.
After qualifying third fastest, 18 year old James also lost the first semi-final encounter against Sandy Clair (France), only to turn the tables to win 2-1 and make it through.
Her gold medal comes fourteen months after the Welsh teenager burst onto the scene as a junior by winning the world sprint and keirin titles, as well as the European sprint championship.
Two days earlier, first-year espoir James and junior Vicki Williamson teamed up to take silver in the U23 team sprint, finishing behind Clair and Cueff.
Welwyn Wheeler rider Williamson also took a silver medal in the junior women's sprint competition, while Pete Mitchell claimed bronze in the men's U23 competition.
Since last year's breakthrough success, James was blooded in her first senior Track World Cup competition at Manchester. She will be spearheading the Welsh track line-up at the Commonwealth Games at Delhi next month.
Related links
Becky James takes gold at World track champs
Reader comments
Add your comments
Kelly I McBraden
September 14 19:53
The "burst on the scene" Becky James is not the real deal. Please focus on riders who have not "burst on the scene" but have slowly built up impressive results.
Timothy Copnell
September 14 23:55
What's with the 'not the real deal' comment? Some sort of allegation or sour grapes? Seems to me that anyone who follows this girl's career could see that her impressive results are the result of a lat of hard work as well as a fair bit of natural talent and flair!
Russ Snowdon
September 15 09:28
Go to Manchester velodrome and see how hard all the sprinters train and you will see why they win medals .Its all hard graft and guts and dedication.
Richard B
September 15 10:45
I too find the first comment odd. The double junior European and World Champion, World Record Holder and now, Under 23 European Champion, at her first attempt, isn't the real deal? The is contrary to everything I have heard, the truth being the exact opposite. Apart from missing a large chunk of a season, two years ago, due to glandular fever, Becky has been omnipresent within the Team GB development programme. Dare I say it, but Miss McBraden's comment reads to me as if she might have a vested interest in another, unspecified rider. I hope this isn't simply a case of jealousy. I wish all our up and coming young female track stars success in the future and hope that Team GB can continue to dominate on the track, in years to come.
MARK WILLIAMSON
September 16 21:35
I concur with the other posters. You obviously dont know Becky or her career because if you did you would never make such a stupid comment like that.She was in the ODP for 2 seasons and made good solid progression onto the academy by working hard and winning double world champs and European junior titles. .She has great track craft way beyond her young years ,she has also been a great help with encouragement and tactics etc and wonderful role model to my daughter Victoria a fellow ODP rider..If my daughter turns out to be anything like Becky as a racer and a person I will be very happy.