Cooke thrilled with cycling boom

The 20-year-old star, who has already won four races out of six this year, including two World Cup events, has blazed a trail for cycling in the region and she is hoping more can follow.

"It is great news that cycling is really taking off in South Wales," said the British and Commonwealth champion. "The more talent coming through, the more exposure the sport gets and the better it gets. I wouldn't mind the competition at all.

"There is a lot going on in South Wales and also in Newport with the velodrome, where I did a lot of my winter training."

Last years' BBC Wales sports personality of the year is jet-setting around Europe at the moment and after competing in Italy and Belgium and currently Spain, she is set to return to Wales later in the year for the World Cup Grand Prix of Wales at the Celtic Manor on August 21, the first World series event ever to take place in the UK.

"It will be nice to compete in a world event in Britain, especially in Wales," she said.

"This is the first time it has happened so I have no experience of it yet. It should be a fantastic event.

"I have had some good experiences over the Celtic Manor course and hopefully I can do well there."

She added: "My spring campaign has gone really well so far and I am looking forward to the summer. Things are very hectic but I wouldn't have it any other way, it is what I enjoy.

"I have the World Cup events coming up and I am looking forward to the Giro d'Italia in the summer. Of course, the Commonwealth Games (in Melbourne next year) and the Olympics are always in the back of my mind."

The only hiccup for the road racer this year has been the theft of her gear in France after winning the Fleche Wallonne race.

Included in her bags was memorabilia and awards she has picked up during her astonishing rise from the junior to the senior cycling ranks.

"That was very upsetting," she said. "A lot of the stuff was personal and could never be replaced."