IT IS HARD to believe that it is 10 years since the opening of the velodrome in Newport.

Little did we realise then what a jewel in the crown this would turn out to be.

But that is exactly what has happened, helped of course by the growing interest and participation in all forms of cycling.

Throughout its 10 years Wales National Velodrome has played host to some of the biggest names in cycling.

Gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy and paralympic star Mark Colbourne just two of them.

It is now the head office of Welsh Cycling, and is nurturing a wealth of talent for the future, with dozens of youngsters turning up week in and week out to train there.

Team GB used Newport as a training base in the run up to the 2012 London Games. And teams from across the world have made use of what are first class facilities.

Newport often takes flak for what it has not got, but here is something which puts the city on the international sporting map and which is playing a major role in this country’s significant success at cycling.

Just last month it hosted a paracycling competition which not only saw a 12-year-old take a world record but also attracted many visitors to the city.

And with moves already afoot to attract Team GB back in the run-up to Rio in 2016, things are looking very bright.