ELITE cyclists were today ready to test the sleek wooden boards of the city's velodrome for the first time.

The £7.5m, lottery funded, hangar-like Wales National Velodrome at the Spytty 'sports village' holds its inaugural race meet tonight.

The steeply banked, oval 250m track has been designed to equal the Olympic circuit at Sydney and is only the second such venue in the UK.

Tonight Olympic medallist Bradley Wiggins is due to race in the European Derny Championships, where motorbike-paced riders hit speeds of more than 50mph as they battle for points.

And Welsh road cycling stars Nicole Cooke, one of the world's top female cyclists, and Julian Winn, of Abergavenny, were due at the opening ceremony this morning, also attended by minister for culture Alun Pugh AM.

Chris Davies, owner of Gwent Cycles and secretary of the velodrome track league, said: "I'm very glad it's opening and I'm looking forward to the racing.

"It should encourage cycling in Gwent as we have to get the sport into the schools.

"Before this, the closest indoor track was in Southampton. Newport's velodrome will be very well used. Clubs from as far away as Yorkshire want to use it.

"We were delighted to get the bid. The excellent access the Southern Distributor Road will provide helped. All it is missing is a cafe area."

Councillor Glyn Jarvis, cabinet member for culture and recreation, said: "We are keen to encourage cyclists as well as non-cyclists to use the centre. It is a great facility for Newport residents."

The velodrome houses other sports facilities open to community use, including: a multi-use area for five a-side football, netball, basketball and badminton; a 60 metre sprint track; gymnastics area; a state-of-the-art fitness suite with steam room and sauna; and a dance studio.

Riders use specialist track bikes without gears or brakes to hit high speeds on the wooden boards.

The Welsh Cycling Union will also have its headquarters on the site and the national coach and development officers will work with riders.

A sports science lab and drug testing suite are also available to riders.