text: I’ve been out injured for a whole year now, but I’m finally on the verge of a return to regular training. It’ll be such a relief after such a long time out. I’m actually in my last week of rehab at the moment, then I’ll transfer to normal training and introduce more cycling into my routine. The year has been so mentally and physically tough, but now I can finally look forward. Sportsmail's Road to Rio cyclist Becky James is desperate to get back on to the track after her recent injuries . James, pictured during a fashion shoot in Manchester, has been sidelined for a whole year . British cyclist James supported boyfriend George North during Wales'  Six Nations campaign . The most frustrating thing was that one moment I’d be completely fine on the bike, then the next I would be in a lot of pain. This happened a lot during my training up in Manchester, so in October we all sat down and decided the best thing was to send me to Bisham Abbey rehabilitation centre. They had everything I needed there – physios, masseurs, coaches – and they did such a great job getting me better up until I left there three weeks ago. Of course, if I didn’t have my National Lottery funding I wouldn’t be able to go through all this. It’s so great that, despite my injury, they carried on supporting me the whole time. You’d think that, with 12 months away from the bike, I’d have plenty of time to myself. But in reality, I never thought I’d be out for that long – I kept having setbacks after thinking I was about to return so I couldn’t stop and enjoy myself. Obviously, there was the stress of being injured as well – but my puppy Lola helped me with that! I did, however, see plenty of the Six Nations, which I don’t usually get to do because it clashes with my season. Though being at the Millennium Stadium for the opening loss to England wasn’t great – you can imagine how my boyfriend George North took it. All in all, this injury could have made or broken me. There were many times I thought I was losing the battle, but I worked through any doubts I had. I have learnt a lot about myself in the last year – both as an athlete and a person – and I believe the whole experience will benefit me in the long run. Right now, with Rio 2016 on the horizon, I’m more motivated than ever. As well as funding the Road to Rio athletes, every week National Lottery players raise over £33 million for arts, heritage, charity, community projects and grass roots sports clubs and facilities. Find out where your money goes at lotterygoodcauses.org.uk .
target: Becky James is in her last week of rehab following a serious knee injury .
  James is hoping she can resume 'normal training' in upcoming weeks .
  The 23-year-old supported boyfriend George North during Six Nations .