REBECCA Romero struck double gold at the 2008 World Track Championships in Manchester - just two years after she was described as looking awkward on a bike by members of High Wycombe Cycling Club.

The 2004 Athens Olympics rowing silver medallist turned up at the club one night as she hunted a new leisure interest after quitting rowing because of a back injury.

She immediately showed her potential in the saddle by finishing eighth fastest of the 36 established club riders on show, although her style left a lot to be desired.

High Wycombe Cycling Club president Gordon Wright said: "We thought her technique was a little awkward.

"But it was pretty obvious that she had a lot of power.

"Looking back, that first ride with us was a pretty awesome ride from a non-cyclist. She had a really big engine and a lot of aerobic power and it was her speed and power that really impressed."

The Lane End Olympian has since been fast-tracked by British Cycling on a development programme at the Manchester velodrome culminating in her double victory in the World Championships last week.

She won the women's 3,000m individual pursuit, beating defending champion Sarah Hammer of the USA, and then repeated the trick in the team pursuit.

Now she is tipped to become the first British woman to win Olympic medals in different sports, following up on her rowing silver at the 2004 Athens Games.

In the World Championships, she set a new British record in qualifying for the final and then kept her cool to see off Hammer and win gold.

She said: "I wanted that so badly. I didn't think I was going to do it.

"I was building up and up and up - that's the most tested I have ever been within my own mental capacity. Last year I was in the silver medal position.

Anything less than a step up, then I'm going backwards.

"I've been putting pressure on myself by going in at this level."

British Cycling president Brian Cookson has backed her to continue her success.

He said: "Rebecca is an excellent natural athlete. She's turned from one sport to another and applied the same level of discipline and motivation.

"She's got that ability to get absolutely 100 per cent out of herself and deliver when it really matters."