Abergavenny speed queen Becky James is on the road to Rio after been given the nod by Team GB to pack her bags, head to Brazil and compete in her first ever Olympic Games.

James who started cycling at the age of 11, and who cites Sir Chris Hoy as her sporting inspiration, will join 25 other riders, all doing their best to grab gold, secure silver, and bag bronze for Great Britain across the disciplines of road, track and BMX in sunny Rio.

James will be riding in the women’s track team alongside Olympic gold medallists Laura Trott and Joanna Roswell Shand.

Also on the team are Cardiff’s Elinor Barker, Katie Archibald, Katy Merchant and Ciara Horne.

James, whose career to date has been hampered by injuries, admits it was a hard fight back to make the cut for the 2016 Olympics.

“I’ve had a hard fight back from injury over the past year or so but thanks to an amazing support team at British Cycling I’m able to put all that behind me and focus on achieving my career goals.”

And perseverance has it’s own reward, as the 24-year-old who won a bronze medal at the UCI Track Cycling World Championship in March points out, “I’m really honoured to have been selected for my first Olympic Games, it’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I first started cycling.”

Seven-time Olympic medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins and former world champion Mark Cavenidsh will also be pulling on the Team GB colours in the mens’ team, alongside four more Olympic medallists in the shape of Jason Kenny, Ed Clancy, Phillip Hindes and Steven Burke.

British Cycling programmes director Andy Harrison added, “I am pleased to announce such a strong squad of riders who will represent Team GB in Rio this summer.

“Our team has proven to be the leading nation for cycling in the past two Olympic cycles and our aim is to continue that momentum and be a sports team that Britain can be proud of.

“We’ve seen some good results across the disciplines this season and I’ve every confidence we can step it up once more for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”

Team GB

Men’s track: Jason Kenny, Phillip Hindes, Callum Skinner, Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, Owain Doull, Steven Burke, Ed Clancy.

Women’s track: Becky James, Katy Marchant, Laura Trott, Katie Archibald, Joanna Rowsell Shand, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne.

Men’s road: Geraint Thomas, Chris Froome, Adam Yates, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Stannard.

Women’s road: Lizzie Armitstead, Emma Pooley, Nikki Harris.

Men’s BMX: Liam Phillips, Kyle Evans.