FIVE Gwent teenagers aim to emulate the achievements of cycling stars Geraint Thomas and Nicole Cooke after making Wales’ Commonwealth Games team heading to India this autumn.

Lewis Oliva, 17, from Chepstow, 200m junior world record holder Becky James, from Abergavenny, Sam Harrison, from Cross Keys, both 18, Hannah Rich, from Undy, and Jon Mould, from Newport, both 19, have booked their place in Delhi.

The 17-rider squad assembled is the largest ever fielded by Wales at a Commonwealth Games and includes 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallists Thomas, currently competing in the Tour de France, and Cooke.

National Junior Keirin title holder Oliva spoke of his delight at his inclusion and hopes to follow in the footsteps of another Monmouth School student.

Rower Tom Lucy, from Llangovan, near Monmouth, won a silver medal at the Olympics two years ago in the men’s eights.

Once a keen rower, it was the thrill of the race that made Oliva choose cycling.

He explained: “I used to be obsessed with rowing but then I became attracted to the buzz you get from cycling.

“My younger brother dragged me along to the Wales National Velodrome in Newport after being inspired by Jason Queally’s success in the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“My brother crashed and was run over by my father Vince, who also cycles. Harry quit, but I was hooked by the thrill of the speed coming off the bends and just wanted to go faster and faster.

“I had rowed with Tom at Monmouth, although not competitively, and I would love to emulate the kind of success he enjoyed.”

The British National Junior Points Champion 2009 Rich is also inspired by an Olympic star from 2008, with Cooke as her heroine.

Currently studying beauty therapy at Coleg Gwent’s City of Newport campus in Nash, she hopes to make her mark in cycling.

Like Oliva, she was also drawn to the exciting nature of the sport.

“I used to do trampolining at the Wales National Velodrome but liked the look of cycling so I joined the Newport Velo Cycling Club.”

She hasn’t looked back and is raring to go at the Games which take place between October 3-14.

“This is a big step for me, but one that I’m really looking forward to,” she said.

Harrison, who won silver with the Great Britain side in the team pursuit at last year’s European Junior Track Championships in Belarus, said he can’t wait to represent his country: “I’m proud to be Welsh and this is an honour.

“Geraint Thomas is a big inspiration for me and a great Welsh role model.”

Wales cycling team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi: Geraint Thomas, Nicole Cooke, Jessica Allen, Yanto Barker, Kara Chesworth, Paul Esposti, Alexandra Greenfield, Sam Harrison, Becky James, Rhys Lloyd, Angharad Mason, Lily Matthews, Jon Mould, Lewis Oliva, Rob Partridge, Hannah Rich, Luke Rowe