DOUBLE Olympic silver medallist Becky James was all smiles after her double Olympic medal whammy in Rio.

And since that giddy summer of euphoria, the speed queen has explained that there were many people who played a part in her silvery success - including her Abergavenny dentist Dr Nigel Jones.

Dr Jones has a lot of experience working with elite athletes. He’s treated players from Swansea City, the Ospreys, and of course, George North and Becky James.

“I had a bad problem with one of my teeth in the run-up to the World Championships in 2013,” explained James.

“It needed to be removed and I had an implant to minimise the disruption to my training.

“Problems with your teeth can set you back so much in a race or in training, so it was very important to get the work done.”

Following the high of becoming double world champion in 2013, James faced a different kind of challenge in the form of career-threatening injuries and a cancer scare.

This year however has seen the tenacious speedster back in the saddle and back on top after she bagged a bronze at the World Track Championships in March, followed by her triumph in Rio.

Since returning from Brazil, Becky has taken a break from the bike, choosing to spend time with her family, friends and her boyfriend George North.

Instead of biking, the sweet-toothed cyclist concentrated her energies on baking, and actually made two cakes for the weddings of her friends.

Yet James was unable to resist the lure of two wheels and a saddle for long, and eventually took to the road a month to the day she won her second silver medal.

“I’ve been circuit training and to the gym, but I felt like I needed a break. So on a beautiful day I was out on my own on my road bike and it suddenly dawned on me that the last time I was riding a bike was at the Olympics,” beamed James.

“I actually said to myself, ‘Becky you are a double Olympic silver medallist!’

“That’s the first time I properly reflected on what I had done.”

James recently hosted a party for family and friends to celebrate her Rio medal haul, among the guests were her dentist friend and sponsor Dr Nigel Jones and his wife Sarah.

James used to babysit for the couple and is grateful for the support Dr Jones and his wife, have given her over the years.

“They’ve [Nigel and Sarah] been incredible from the days when I used to babysit, all the way through to now,” she added.

“I can’t thank them enough for supporting me through my injuries. I think a lot of people lost hope in me during that time, but they didn’t and so it’s nice to repay everyone with some Olympic silver medals. I just can’t thank them enough.”

Becky’s two silver medals are part of a 67-medal haul for Team GB in Rio, two more than they gained at London 2012, and it won’t be long before she’s back on her bike, going for gold again.

“The Olympics is what I’ve always aimed for my whole life and now I’ve done it, I can’t believe it’s over.

“I think I’m just sort of soaking it all up right now. Once the new year starts I’ll have to forget looking back and start looking forward. The Commonwealth Games will be my next big target I think.”