Wheelers hoping for British cycling boom

9:38am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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Chippenham Wheelers coach Andy Cook hopes Great Britain's Olympic cycling success will inspire local youngsters to take up the sport - and maybe even become Olympians themselves.

Cook, who works for British Cycling, believes there could be a surge in the participation of local youngsters signing up in the same way that rugby was boosted by England's World Cup triumph in 2003.

And he says they will have every chance of emulating their idols such as Beijing gold medalists Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and Victoria Pendleton if they work hard and stick at it.

He said: "It is the dream to get someone to come through and go to the Olympics.

"When you see people like Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton who have won gold it shows what we can do.

"It is not just on the track as well because we good chance in the BMX events as well with Shanaze Reade.

"At Chippenham we have some good young riders who are coming through like Stephanie Higgs who is 13 and is winning a lot of local competitions, Mark Charlton is 12 and already competing nationally and Jamie Richardson Page from Devizes who is 12.

"We need to nurture all this young talent the right way."

Cook, who was speaking from the home of British Cycling in the Manchester Velodrome, says cycling has been growing in popularity for some time.

He said: "There are currently 405 members at the club and we are growing all the time.

"We have seen an increase in families coming down and taking part as well.

"We train down at Castle Combe racetrack on Tuesday and Thursday nights and it is going excellently.

"Me and wife Jacqui currently coach for and we are both qualified to coach all types of cyclists whether it is time trialists, road racers or BMX riders.

"There is something for everybody to try."

Cook believes now is the time to create more facilities in the country and is hoping Chippenham could benefit.

He said: "At Stanley Park there is a spare pitch and we are talking to the council about making it in to an outside velodrome or BMX track. We need more facilities like there are in Newport and Manchester. I know there are plans to build in London and Scotland."