Brailsford believes there are more great cyclists from Wales to come

Gary Baker on 21/09/2012

Welsh athletes are very much near the top of Team Sky's hit-list, according to team principal Dave Brailsford.

And the man who masterminded Britain's outstanding cycling successes over the last few years believes Cardiff's Luke Rowe (pictured right) has all the attributes to go places in the future.

The response from Welsh families to cycling since the London Olympics has been huge, with the Wales National Velodrome in Newport booked out solid for sessions until February next year.

Brailsford, born in Derby but brought up in Caernarfon where he learnt to speak fluent Welsh, is keeping big tabs on the sport in the Principality.

And he said the women are of particular interest to Team Sky now.

The 46-year-old cycling legend said: "I think there is a lot but at the moment there are a lot of very talented female riders coming out of Wales. There is a really nice Team Pursuit squad coming out of Wales and they look fantastic. So I think the future is looking bright in that respect."

Rowe, 21, is one of those riders that has already made the leap from talented youngster to a professional contract.

Brailsford is full of admiration for him. "Luke is coming along super. He's from a good cycling family, he is very professional, knows his business and he is going to go a long way," said the Team Sky principal.

"He and his family (mum Alyson and dad Courtney) have brought both of their kids (Luke and Matt) up really well and you can just tell with Luke that he has come from a very supportive and good disciplined environment.

"The whole point of creating Team Sky was to try and get a opportunity-lead, positive, well-coached environment for riders that was clean and that youngsters can come into and develop - and that is just what Luke is.

"He has had a fantastic first year and has really dedicated himself to learning his job and, off that dedication, it was fantastic for him to end up winning a stage of the Tour of Britain."

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