WORLD and Olympic champion cyclist Beth Shriever won silver in front of a sell-out home crowd in the second round of the BMX World Cup.

Beth, who lives in Finchingfield, had all eyes on her last weekend at the BMX Racing World Cup round in Glasgow, the first event she has enjoyed on home turf since last summer’s Olympic triumph.

She went into Glasgow on the back of two wins in the European Cup and performed well across the event.

Beth made a blistering start to the final and held the lead into the final corner, only to be pipped on the line by Holland’s Laura Smulders, who also won the opening round on Saturday.

However, Beth, who honed her skills in Braintree, was still “over the moon" with the result.

She said: “I had a pretty decent gate, was leading most of the way, and saw on the screen that Laura was behind me so I had to stay smooth.

“Over the moon with the result and had a pretty good lap so really, really happy."

Life has been a “whirlwind” off the bike as the 23-year-old grows accustomed to the fame that comes with the Olympic BMX title she won in Tokyo last summer.

She went on to add a world title just two weeks later and has now made herself a marked woman amongst her rivals.

Speaking to the PA news agency, she said: “It has brought its challenges - mentally more than anything else.

“Now I’m the one to watch, that’s something new to overcome. I think I’ve done that pretty well.”

Beth took time off after her double triumph last year, needing time to reset her goals after the flurry of success.

Now, she is back in the saddle and looking forward to the next event following her success in Glasgow.

She said: “It’s been a bit of a stressful weekend. Obviously a home crowd gets you nervous, and tensions were high, but I felt like I was able to manage it pretty well and I’m really happy to come away with a second and in a good place ahead of Papendal.”

Papendal in Holland will stage rounds three and four from June 11-12.