THE £7 million national velodrome to be built in Newport is the brainchild of the man behind the Olympic cycle track in Sydney, the Argus can reveal.

Former Australian professional cyclist Ron Webb was chosen last month by Newport council bosses to design and install the track.

Mr Webb has also designed and built the tracks for the Silver Dome in Tasmania, the Adelaide Superdrome, and what is currently the UK's only velodrome, in Manchester.

Work on Newport's velodrome, adjacent to Spytty Stadium, is expected to start early next summer, and should be finished by October or November 2003.

Velodrome project leader Haydn Ames, sport and leisure manager with Newport council, said: "This will mean the building is operational prior to the 2004 Athens Olympics, so prospective Olympians can use the facility for training purposes.

"The inner track area will be available for a range of sports, including five-a-side football, basketball, netball and badminton.

"It will also provide an athletics training facility including jump pits and a 60m sprint track. "Also included in the design will be a state-of-the-art health and fitness suite, and a sports science and drug testing facility."

Mr Webb, who has represented Australia in eight World Championships himself and was twice World Champion finalist, set up his own company which has been designing and installing cycling tracks since 1970.

The actual building to house the track was designed by Graham Milsom, of Milsom Kane Architects.

Gwent already boasts some of the top names in amateur cycling in Britain and it is hoped the velodrome will be a further boost to the sport.

South East Wales is one of the strongest regions in the country for cycling, with Newport Phoenix officially the fastest-growing cycle club in Britain.

Newport beat off competition from four other Welsh councils, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Bridgend, and Neath Port Talbot, to become home to the velodrome.

* Pictured: An artist's impression of the proposed Newport Velodrome