James claims second bronze

Great Britain's Becky James claimed her second medal of the Track Cycling World Championships with bronze in the women's 500metres time-trial on day two of in Minsk.

The 21-year-old from Abergavenny won a surprise team sprint bronze with Vicky Williamson on day one and followed it up with third place behind Hong Kong's Lee Wai Sze on day two.

James was first of the 12 riders to go, setting the target of 34.133 seconds and a new personal best. The mark stood until Lee, the 10th of 12 riders, took to the track and went 0.160secs quicker in 33.973secs, while Miriam Welte of Germany - the last to ride - clocked 33.996 to take silver.

Vicky Williamson, who combined with James to claim bronze on day one, finished 11th in 35.409.

James clocked a personal best in the non-Olympic event by six tenths of a second and her form bodes well ahead of the individual sprint competition Friday and Saturday and Sunday's Keirin.

"I'm pretty shocked," said James, who won sprint Commonwealth Games silver for Wales behind Olympic champion Anna Meares in 2010. "I've come in with good form, but 500's always been a hard event and I didn't expect to come away with a medal.

"It was a bit of an agonising wait towards the end, when everyone was going a bit slower. To come away with a medal, I'm so happy.

"It's definitely the best form I've ever had coming into a competition. I'm just excited what I can do tomorrow. I haven't raced with good form for a while. It's always harder racing when you're going a bit steadier on the bike. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Australia's Michael Hepburn successfully defended his men's four-kilometre individual pursuit title as Ireland's Martyn Irvine had to settle for silver.

In 2012, Caroline Ryan won Ireland's first modern World Championships medal with bronze in the women's points race.