The Welsh Cycling Performance Team has selected six riders from the Power 2 Podium talent identification programme to train as part of the performance programme. The Power 2 Podium talent identification programme was a UK Sport initiative that aimed to recruit athletes with speed and power and assess their suitability for joining talent development programmes across seven sports.

The Power 2 Podium team of six six girls aged between 15 and 23, had their induction at the Wales National Velodrome this week. Scott Bugden, Sprint/MTB Coach, took the girls on a morning road ride around the Newport International Sports Village facilities, followed by a two hour track session inside the velodrome. They also received training advice and bike maintenance tips to keep them riding safe over the festive season.

  

Caroline Harvey, 23, was selected through Power 2 Podium and took part in the induction this week, “It was great to come back today and meet all the girls again. In Phase 1 and 2 there was quite a big group, so today was a great chance to get to know everybody better. When we first got onto the bikes, four out of six of us fell off! It’s really different riding track bikes and we have to get used to using cleats. But this is a fantastic once in a lifetime opportunity! I’m currently studying towards my PGCE in Cardiff, which is demanding, but I know if I don’t take this opportunity I will regret it.”

The Power 2 Podium team will now have the Christmas holidays to adjust to the lifestyle of a cyclist and return early in the New Year to get stuck into their training programme.