PLANS for Monmouthshire to become the cycling capital of Wales have taken another leap forward with the formation of an influential group.

Monmouthshire County Council have earmarked cycling as a key sport for 2013 and, as such, members of the authority, police advisers, local riding clubs, Welsh Cycling officials and organisers of the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling, which is aimed to be the key centrepiece of the drive, have met to discuss how to reach this goal.

The initiative is not only aimed at the Festival's competition events and Sportif rides which have been taking place for the last six years and proved extremely popular but a programme for cycling as a whole.

These include other competitive events, including cyclo-cross competitions in the Autumn, and leisure-based rides and activities throughout the county.

These events and activities will encompass the entire area, from Chepstow and Caldicot in the south of Monmouthshire, to the north.

Ian Saunders, Monmouthshire's Leisure Activities Manager, said, "The group is looking to further develop cycling opportunities throughout Monmouthshire and build on the impressive work going on throughout the county.

"Having representation from the various groups will enable us to work closely together and ensure knowledge, skills, resources are co-ordinated to provide a shared vision for cycling.

"The initial meeting certainly reinforced the commitment of all and discussions regarding improving facilities, mapping of cycling routes and improving cycling opportunities were extremely positive.

"A further meeting will be held in January to update progress so group members, officers and club personnel are working hard to keep up momentum."

The scope of the initiative ranges from competitive road races to off-road cycling and liaising with other neighbouring local authorities, such as Newport Council who operate the Wales National Velodrome.

This year, the Festival of Cycling not only staged the popular Friday evening Town Centre Criterrium road races, which were televised and broadcast on Sky TV, but the Iron Mountain Sportif and two very well-attended fringe events.

Those fringe events were a film show and a talk at the Borough Theatre involving British Cycling coach Shane Sutton among others.

For 2013, the Festival is set to develop further, with more fringe events, the Iron Mountain Sportif plus the Town Centre Series and a return of top-class road racing with the Grand Prix of Wales.

Additionally, plans are being put in place for off-road and closed circuit racing and another major road race, the first of its' kind in the UK.

They are very exciting times for the sport in Monmouthshire and Abergavenny Festival of Cycling organiser Bill Owen said, "This initiative is embracing cycling in all of its' areas and we applaud Monmouthshire Council for helping to make all of this happen.

"We have seen cycling grow from a minority activity ten years ago to a British sporting phenomena in 2012, with the Team GB track team winning not only medals but breaking world records at the London Olympic Games in August.

"And then our Paralympians added to that medal haul in September when they took centre stage in London.

"Both these teams included great riders like Geraint Thomas from Cardiff and Mark Colbourne from Tredegar - both gold medalists - which proves that Wales is right up there with the best in the UK in cycling.

"But this initiative from Monmouthshire County Council is not all about competition but about the whole sport of cycling including the leisure aspects which can be enjoyed by families and friends from total beginners to club riders.

"Thousands of people throughout the country are now on their bikes and enjoying riding. The Festival of Cycling has also brought in many thousands of pounds to the local economy of Abergavenny and district over the years and an expansion of cycling in 2013 will do nothing other than mushroom this.

"Monmouthshire has been described as a 'cyclist's playground' and that is very accurate. We have some of the most fantastic routes and scenery anywhere in the country and people, both for leisure riding and with competitive teams, come here from all parts of the UK to 'play' and train.

"Therefore, it is really pleasing for the people in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire and Wales, who have been involved in cycling for many years, that a body has picked up this particular ball and decided to run with it.

"With the amount of knowledge, enthusiasm and drive that we witnessed in our first meeting of the new group and with the backing of Monmouthshire County Council and other partnerships, I am sure that 2013 will become the Year of the Bike for us both here and in the Principality.

"If that is the case, then there is no doubt that Monmouthshire will succeed in its' aim of becoming Wales' cycling capital."