BRITISH champion cyclist Lewis Oliva produced his best-ever World Cup result to win silver in Canada.

The 25-year-old former Monmouth School pupil came second in his keirin heat to Canada’s Hugo Barrette in the fastest qualifier, before grabbing the third qualifying place in the semi-final from Czech rider Pavel Keleman.

Oliva then produced a stunning finish on the Milton track to grab silver inches behind Dutchman Harrie Lavreysen in 10.1.03 secs, which saw the riders hitting speeds above 71km per hour.

The Team Wales cyclist, who combines international riding with being a full-time medical student at Cardiff University, beat Germany’s Joachim Eilers into bronze, with the Japanese, French and Canadian riders missing out on a podium finish.

With all his other GB teammates on full-time contracts with GB Cycling, Oliva joked: “It’s proof that you don’t need to be quick, just have a truck load of morale... and Guinness.”

The Welsh rider has previously won three World Cup bronze medals and is targeting next year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Next up this month for him and the rest of the GB cyclists is the Santiago World Cup event in Chile.