Becky North named president of Welsh cycling

Becky North is the new president of Beicio Cymru.

Welsh cycling's governing body confirmed the appointment on 15 October 2026 Yahoo Sport Canada. It puts a former champion at the head of the organisation that oversees the sport in Wales.

North is widely known in the cycling community as Becky James. She raced under that name during her career on the track, before later being known as Becky North Beicio Cymru.

Her record is short and sharp. She is a double track world champion and Olympic silver medallist BBC Sport. That means gold at the sport's annual world championships, twice, and second place on the biggest stage of all, the Olympic Games.

Track cycling needs little introduction once you see it. Riders race on a steeply banked oval, the velodrome, at high speed and often elbow to elbow. The peloton, the main pack of riders, does not exist here in the same way as on the road. It is rider against rider, or small teams against the clock. Timing, nerve and raw power decide it.

She retired from cycling in August 2017. She was 25. That is young to stop, even in a power discipline where riders often peak early.

The presidency follows a first step back into the Welsh set-up earlier this year. Beicio Cymru appointed North as its ambassador in June Beicio Cymru. The organisation publishes its news through its official website at beiciocymru.org. Her first engagement as ambassador was scheduled for Glasgow 2026.

That ambassador role has now become the presidency within four months. The day-to-day running of Beicio Cymru sits with chief executive Caroline Spanton BBC Sport. The president holds a different post. It is public-facing and honorary, a voice for clubs, volunteers and riders rather than an executive job.

What makes this stand out is the directness of the path. Retire young. Step away. Return as ambassador. Then lead. It keeps lived racing experience close to decision-making. Cycling never lacks for pain. It sometimes lacks for listeners.

For fans, this means a recognisable name in a blazer rather than a skinsuit. Welsh clubs will know the face. Young riders will know the record. The suffering is familiar. The job is new.