Cooke was hoping to thrill her home crowd at the state of the art facility

Cooke has been told to rest after suffering a recurrence of a knee injury after a training accident.

"I am so sorry to let my local fans down but the national team doctor has said that I should not ride my bike for the next three weeks," said Cooke.

"I was really looking forward to the Newport International Pursuit Challenge against Leontien Zjilaard-Van Moorsel, the world and Olympic pursuit champion.

"She is one of the great female cyclists of the last decade and it was a great test for me on home ground for the first time."

The star studded field will still provide two exciting nights racing Welsh Cycling chairman Bill Owen

Despite Cooke's absence, race organisers say they are still hopeful the pursuit challenge will go ahead on Friday and Saturday.

World Championships silver medallist Mirjam Melchers is due to race against Zjilaard-Van Moorsel.

Welsh Cycling chairman Bill Owen said: "It is such terrible luck for Nicole to miss this important meeting - we hope that she is back on the bike again soon.

"I am sure that the star studded field which we have gathered will still provide two exciting nights racing and we are so lucky that we have secured a star like Melchers to replace Nicole."

The meetings to mark on the opening of the �7.5m velodrome in Newport will include the European Derny Championship, featuring many of the top riders in Europe.

Three current world track champions, seven former world champions and many European champions will feature over the two days.