NEWPORT'S new state-of-the-art velodrome is set to be the best equipped in Britain - and make the city the centre of cycling in the UK, according to Welsh cycling chiefs. The facility in Spytty Park will open this autumn, thanks to a Sports Council for Wales lottery grant of £7.5m.

Yesterday the new Welsh national cycling coach said the Newport facility would play a key part in his strategy for cycling in Wales.

American Erin Hartwell, 33, whose appointment as national coach was announced in Cardiff yesterday, told the Argus: "The impact the new velodrome will make is incalculable.

"We won't have seen a facility like this before. We will have a world-class training centre available to develop track athletics to an international standard."

Mr Hartwell, an accomplished track and road cyclist, is a 13-time US National Champion and an Olympic bronze and silver medal winner.

He said: "The velodrome will attract cyclists from all over the UK to Newport to train on the track. It's not only good for cycling, it's good for the city."

Welsh Cycling Union Chairman Bill Owen said the velodrome was the biggest thing to ever happen to Welsh cycling.

He outlined what the track's state-of-the-art technology and new surface would mean. "The track in the velodrome itself should be the fastest in the world because it is so new, so a lot of people will be keen to train there. It will be as good, if not better than the facilities in Manchester and Sidney.

"I can really see Newport becoming the centre of cycling in Britain, and especially Wales, once the velodrome is opened."

Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke, who won a cycling gold medal in the Commonwealth Games last year, said she was looking forward to working with her new coach and the new track.

"The appointment of Erin as Welsh coach, along with the new velodrome in Newport means that there is a great chance for cycling to develop into one of Wales' strongest sports, and Welsh riders into some of the best in Britain," she said.

PICTURED: Nicole Cooke.