JOHN Paul is on top of the world.

The 18-year-old, from Wantage, has just returned home after winning gold at the Junior World Cycling Championships in Moscow – setting a British National record in the 200m time trial of 10.175secs on his way to the crown.

His victory saw him awarded the coveted Rainbow Jersey, given to the winner of every major cycling championship.

And he is now going for more glory in the British National Junior Championships this week.

Paul only arrived back in the country on Monday night, and was straight away heading to Manchester to try and defend his British sprint title.

If Paul does retain his title, it would cap an amazing few weeks, after he added the world crown to the two European titles he landed in Portugal earlier in the month.

“I was absolutely delighted, obviously,” he said.

“I was quite nervous about everything because it was a huge field – there were about 55 sprinters there.

“There was very little between the top five or six riders, but it was great to come out on top.”

Paul is now confident that he can end a sensational month on a high with victory in Manchester. And is then looking forward to a break.

“I’m very hopeful,” he said. “I’m literally building my bike as we speak, but am going there full of confidence after the great results I have had of late.

“Last year I went to the World Championships and got knocked out in the first round, so since then have been so determined.

“It’s a great sense of achievement and hopefully I can top it off in Manchester.”

He added: “That will be it for the season then.

“After this week I will have a bit of down time, let my body recover, and then start again with some winter training ahead of next season.”