PONTHIR cyclist James Ball will look to add to his impressive medal haul when he takes to the track for Wales in the Commonwealth Games.

The 30-year-old and pilot Matt Rotherham have been selected in the team that will compete in Birmingham at the end of July.

Visually-impaired Ball and pilot Pete Mitchell won a pair of silver medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games four years ago.

The former Croesyceiliog School pupil, who turned to cycling after injury hit his athletics sprint aspirations, has an impressive CV featuring a raft of World Championship honours, including golds, and last year was pipped to gold at the Tokyo Paralympics when Lewis Stewart was his pilot.

Ball was edged out by Neil Fachie and is set for another duel with the Scottish rider in Birmingham.

Elinor Barker has been selected three months after the birth of her son while Geraint Thomas will compete for Wales for the first time since 2014.

Barker, who won gold in the points race four years ago, announced her pregnancy last October, revealing she had been pregnant when she took silver in the team pursuit on the track in Tokyo last summer.

She gave birth to son Nico in March and will compete in the road race in Birmingham alongside sister Megan, who is also part of the team pursuit line-up.

Former Tour De France champion Thomas claimed Commonwealth gold in Glasgow eight years ago in the road race and bronze in the time trial and will compete in both events this summer.

The 27-strong team also features world stars Luke Rowe and Stevie Williams alongside 17 debutants.

Head coach, Darren Tudor, said "I'm really excited to announce the team that's been selected for this year's Commonwealth Games, with a mix of some of the most experienced bike riders in the world to athletes that have been selected for their first of hopefully many games.

"Every athlete will be proud to pull on the Welsh Jersey and I believe the Welsh passion will really shine when the Games starts in London.

"We want to make the Welsh public, cycling community, clubs, volunteers and members of Welsh Cycling proud of the team as without their crucial roles many of the athletes wouldn't have been able to progress through the sport.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate every athlete on their selection."

Cycling squad: Alex Pope (pilot Steff Lloyd), Anna Morris, Elinor Barker, Ella Barnwell, Ellie Coster, Eluned King, Elynor Backstedt, Emma Finucane, Geraint Thomas, Harvey McNaughton, James Ball (pilot Matt Rotherham), Jess Roberts, Joe Holt, Joshua Tarling, Leah Dixon, Lowri Thomas, Luke Rowe, Megan Barker, Nia Holt (pilot Amy Cole), Owain Doull, Rhian Edmunds, Rhys Britton, Steff Lloyd (Pilot), Steve Williams, Will Roberts