RISCA’S Sam Harrison says tomorrow’s British Cycling National Road Championships road race in Monmouthshire will be the perfect preparation for Glasgow 2014.

The NFTO Pro Cycling rider, who turned 22 on Tuesday, did not defend the under-23 time trial title he won in 2012 and 2013 at the Celtic Manor yesterday due to illness.

But he’s fit and raring to go for tomorrow’s men’s road race, which begins in Abergavenny at 1pm, along with teammate Jon Mould of Newport.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for us to race on roads that we train on all the time,” said Harrison, who started his career racing for Cwmcarn Paragon.

“It probably gives us a slight advantage knowing the roads and where you’re going to be turning but I think most of the riders will have done a recce.

“It’s more that you want to do well because you’ll have family out on the course.

“I’ll be in more of a supporting role. Jon’s in the same team and he’s going really well at the moment.

“I’ll be treating it as preparation for the Commonwealth Games really.”

Both Mould and Harrison will be representing Wales in Glasgow next month alongside fellow Gwent riders Becky and Rachel James, Amy Hill and Ciara Horne.

Harrison, like Mould, will be part of the road team and will compete in the endurance events on the track in the Chris Hoy Velodrome.

“I’m really excited about Glasgow,” he said. “It’s the only time we get to represent Wales and we’re pretty patriotic as a country so I can’t wait.

“I’ll have a few people up there to cheer me on but it’s difficult to get hold of tickets.

“My dad and granddad went out to Delhi and they were says it was easier to get out there than it is to Glasgow.

“The Scots are all Celts as well so I’m sure they’ll be cheering for us if we’re up against the English.

“The Aussies and the Kiwis will be dangerous as well but I think for the track we’ve got a really strong team so we’re all be racing for medals hopefully.”

He added: “The only time I’ve competed at the Chris Hoy Velodrome I crashed so I hope that’s not a bad omen but it’s a great venue and we’re all really excited about racing there.”

Defending champion Mark Cavendish is out of the men’s road race due to a bout of bronchitis but Lizzie Armitstead is due to defend her crown from 9am.