Lizzie Armitstead, the first home medalist of London 2012, is keen to bid for a road and track double at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics of 2016.

The 24-year-old Otley rider still reflects on the sprint in teeming rain down The Mall, when prolific champion Marianne Vos of Holland beat her to Olympic gold by a narrow margin.

“I still think about the sprint, although I am also very happy with silver as well,” said Armitstead.

“I want to win and it would’ve been great if I had won. But it is a silver lining and motivation to keep going for Rio.”

Armitstead, who in 2009 won team pursuit gold at the Track Cycling World Championships, had to choose between the velodrome and the road for London 2012.

There is the possibility she could do both at Rio – but there are a number of hurdles to overcome.

The International Olympic Committee will decide in September whether to return the points race to the Olympic programme at the International Cycling Union’s request.

If that happens, then the criteria must be decided and it may be that the points racer also has to compete in the team pursuit.

The devotion required for the team discipline means it would be impossible to also ride in the road race.

But Armitstead would like to explore the possibility of a points-road race double and said: “I’d love to be able to do it.

“The girls on the track now are phenomenal riders and so specific. It’s difficult to step into that but I love points racing and I think, if I was allowed to try to combine the road and the points race, I’d love to do it.

“If I get the opportunity to prove that I could be a great stand-alone points racer, I’d love to be able to do it. I’d like to be given the chance but I’m not sure I’ll be able to.”

Armitstead may get the chance to prove she can do both at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The Commonwealths, in which she won road race silver at Delhi in 2010, is in her mind this season, with next month’s British Championships in Glasgow one of her targets, along with September’s Road World Championships in Florence, Italy.

Armitstead is keen to exchange her Boels Dolmans Cycling Team jersey for the British champion’s white jersey with red and blue bands; a rainbow jersey could follow in September.

She said: “I want to wear white again. There are certain privileges which come with it and I’d like to have it back. I’m in an orange team and it’s not my favourite colour.”

Armitstead was speaking on a rare trip home to Yorkshire, which will host the start of the 2014 Tour de France next summer.

The Leeds start – and the Giro d’Italia start in Belfast – capitalises on the interest generated in cycling, in many ways by the likes of Armitstead, who has noticed a growth in the sport.

She said: “When I first started, I’d go out on a bike ride with my dad and we’d pass a few people; now we pass far more people.

“I am proud of the fact it’s starting in Yorkshire but more the fact that it’s in the UK.”

It is not the only change in Armitstead’s life. She and boyfriend Adam Blythe, who is currently riding the Giro with BMC Racing, now have a European base in Monaco.

Formula One driver Jenson Button, an avid triathlete, is among those who join them for training rides in the hills above the Principality.

Armitstead likes Monaco for the lifestyle as a bike rider, rather than the glamour, and said: “I feel a bit uncomfortable. I’m not saving up for a Ferrari or anything.”