NEWPORT is set to pay 40,000 towards hosting a women's international cycle race this year.

A women's World Cup tournament race - the first ever to be staged in the UK - is likely to attract top athletes like Welsh star Nicole Cooke (pictured left) in August.

Councillor John Guy, cabinet member for leisure, pledged 15,000 from the council budget. And regeneration group Newport Unlimited has offered 25,000 towards the 250,000 cost of staging the race.

The cash will pay for the accommodation and transport expenses of the estimated 150 competitors and their entourage, promotion, barriers, security and policing.

Bill Owen, president of the Welsh Cycling Union, said: "It is well worth the investment, the event will be transmitted world-wide. It will be great promotion for Newport."

David Ward, director of planning and strategy at Newport Unlimited, said: "Bringing a world class event to the region is hugely beneficial.

"Cycling is a sport with a growing following, especially after Britain's Olympic success, and it's an area where Newport is really taking a lead."

Last year Newport hosted a stage of the Tour of Britain and the Brit-ish National Road Race Champion-ships.

Like those races, the women's world cup event will use the roads around the Celtic Manor Resort. The route has not been finalised but Sunday, August 21, is the preferred date.

Nicole Cooke has vowed to fight for the UCI Women's Elite World Cup, which she won in 2003 but was unable to defend last year because of injury.

This year's event will be decided after ten races on three continents; the Newport race will attract up to 150 riders, mostly from professional European teams.

Newport Unlimited hopes the race will start at the city's 7.6m Wales National Velodrome.

It also plans a weekend of related activities for all the family.

Steve Bickerton, of the council's leisure department, said that if 550 people visit Newport and stay for two nights, the race could bring 44,000 to the local economy.