Welsh Track Attack gets kids on bikes

The project has been given a boost this year with Iceland – the retailer, not the country – coming on board as the title sponsor. With the support of Iceland, Track Attack can now realise its full potential by providing more equipment, facilities and coaches to reach more youngsters from local communities in Wales.

The facilities are the outdoor cycle tracks in Carmarthen and Cardiff, plus Wales National (Indoor) Velodrome in Newport.
The Iceland sponsorship follows in the footsteps of DHL who, earlier this year made a significant investment in cycling youth development with the creation of the DHL Sprint School. The DHL Sprint School has been based at the Newport Velodrome since February and has proved a huge success providing track sprint training to young cyclists from across the country. Impressed by the success of the Sprint School Andy Pritchard, Managing Director of Iceland said of the sponsorship:
“Here at Iceland we have had a long relationship with DHL and when we saw the great work being achieved by Guy Elliott and DHL’ sponsorship of Sprint School in Newport we felt we could really help grow the youth development work DHL have pioneered. Our commitment to this project is for three years and we hope in that time to help as many young people to experience the thrill of track cycling as well as learn about living a healthier, fitter life.”
With the backing of Iceland, Welsh Cycling will be able to make huge steps forward and build on their recent success. Geraint Thomas is the perfect example of this success and emphasized the importance of projects like Track Attack in nurturing future talent and also increasing participation the sport.

The initiative was designed to remove all the obstacles to youths trying the sport of track cycling, plus it has created a structured programme of cycling activities which takes youngsters from their initial experience of cycling through to a level competent enough to join a local club. Each of the identified facilities hosts a local ‘Go-Ride’ cycling club.

Since its inception, the programme has logged over 350 children from the community groups, schools, other sports clubs and holiday sessions enjoy taster sessions at the facilities, with many returning for after schools courses and further holiday sessions.