OLYMPIC cycling teams from around the globe could prepare for the London 2012 Olympics at Newport, the chairman of the bid said yesterday.

Chairman Barbara Cassani visited the £7.5m Wales National Velodrome at Newport as part of a tour to gather tips for the London 2012 Olympic bid.

American-born Ms Cassani, who used to run the budget airline Go, said: "It's a tremendous facility and I will unashamedly steal any good ideas that I find.

"I hadn't appreciated that it was combined with other sports facilities that could be used by the community.

"If our bid is successful I hope that Newport will attract Olympic teams looking to find a training base.

"Some teams come six to nine months ahead of the games.

"It's only a couple of hours away from London and is very convenient."

A new velodrome would be built in London if the capital was awarded the games.

Ms Cassani met young cyclists participating in the Welsh Cycling Union (WCU) talent squad and Bill Owen, chairman of the WCU.

She also visited the Millennium Stadium, which could be used for Olympic football matches, and the University of Wales Cyncoed campus in Cardiff.

Councillor Glyn Jarvis, cabinet member for culture and recreation, said: "We fully support the bid for the Olympics coming to the UK in 2012 and are delighted to have Ms Cassani at the velodrome as a part of her tour of sports sites around the UK."

Angela Turner, leisure manager at Newport council, said the velodrome had been successful since its opening in mid-November.

She said: "The cycle track is busy every night of the week and many community groups use the other sports facilities."