The first race took place on Friday night

The �7.5m Wales National Velodrome in the Spytty area of Newport, south Wales, is only the second facility of its kind in the UK.

Designed by the man behind the Sydney Olympics velodrome, it has a 250m cycling track, but also includes a sports centre which can be used for football, netball, basketball and badminton, as well as a 60-metre sprint track.

The project was financed entirely by the Sports Council for Wales's lottery fund, and was officially opened by Alun Pugh, the Welsh sports minister.

The track plays host to its first meeting, with a host of international stars racing over two days.

Three current world track champions, seven former world champions and many European champions are due to feature over the event.

It is a great facility for Newport residents Councillor Glyn Jarvis

But injury has forced Welsh star Nicole Cooke to withdraw.

Cooke, 20, recently became the youngest-ever rider to win the World Cup title.

Welsh Cycling chairman Bill Owen said: "It is such terrible luck for Nicole to miss this important meeting.

"But I am sure that the star-studded field which we have gathered will still provide two exciting nights racing."

Newport Council has said that hotels across the city are full of fans who have flocked to the weekend's meetings from all over Europe.

Nicole Cooke has been forced to pull out of the event

Councillor Glyn Jarvis, cabinet member for culture and recreation, added they were keen to encourage non-cyclists to use the centre.

"There is a good range of first class facilities that will be beneficial to people who play a wide variety of sports at all levels. It is a great facility for Newport residents," he said.

He added the sports council was also considering an application for a new swimming facility at the Spytty site.

The velodrome is now the headquarters of the Welsh Cycling Union.