OLYMPIC gold medallist Chris Hoy MBE has predicted British cycling will go from strength to strength in the coming years - thanks to initiatives such as the Welsh cycling talent team which he launched yesterday.

Hoy, who dramatically snatched the gold in Athens in the 1km time trial, was in Newport at the velodrome to present the eleven most promising young cycling stars in Wales with new bikes and was also keen to offer them some advice.

The youngsters, all 14, were selected after nationwide endurance tests carried out at schools throughout Wales and they will now undergo three years of specialist coaching and training at the velodrome.

Four of the youngsters are from Gwent - Liam Jones from Cwmbran, Sion O'Boyle from Pontypool and Gareth and Rebecca James, brother and sister from Abergavenny, all selected from among 1200 children tested.

The 'talent team' class of 2005 were hand-picked by experts and Hoy believes that youngsters today are being offered opportunities his generation could never have dreamed about.

Hoy told the Argus: "I have really enjoyed meeting the youngsters and promoting the launch of this initiative, it can only have positive results in the future.

"When I was training as a youngster in Scotland there was not a single velodrome in the whole of Britain and all of our training was done outdoors at Meadowbank in Edinburgh.

"But things have moved on leaps and bounds since then and it is vital to encourage kids from a much younger age, which is why I always enjoy giving my time to these occasions.

"Winning a gold medal and competing in the Olympics are unforgettable experiences and the more we can do to promote cycling, the better.

"Wales has a great reputation for producing successful cyclists and I'm sure that this group of riders will be seeking to reach the very top with the help of the Welsh Cycling Union."

Cwmbran's Liam Jones, one of the selected riders in the group, admitted it was a real dream come true to be rubbing shoulders with Hoy.

He said: "It is a big honour to be selected for the group and I am excited about the challenge ahead. Everyone gets on well in the group and it is exciting to have Chris Hoy here to see us."

The programme is being aided by a sponsorship deal with Robert Price builders and was also supported by the mayor of Newport, Councillor Paul Cockeram, who believes everyone in Newport should be proud of the velodrome.

Councillor Cockeram said: "Initiatives such as this one are a big boost to some talented young people and being able to enjoy first rate facilities such as we have here can only help further."