With the chances of an indoor velodrome for Northern Ireland in the build up to the London Olympics looking more and more likely, Cycling Ulster are taking steps that they will have the track athletes up and running to challenge for world honours in future years.

Three sites - Belfast, Newry and Newcastle - are already through to the next round of the funding process and an announcement regarding the new velodrome is due within the next few months.

This weekend Ulster's top Youth Track riders are travelling across to the Welsh National Velodrome in Newport for a 3-day training camp. The squad comprises of Peter Williams (Orchard Wheelers) Stuart Henry (North Down), Jonny Beers (XMTB), Jonny Cole (Madigan), Richard Alexander (Madigan),David Neill (Madigan), Craig Swenarton (North Down), Mark Ramsay (Madigan), Rachel Mitchell (North Down), Laura Casey (Clann Eireann) and Rachel Withers (Fintona CC) and will be managed by Gary McKeegan and Brian Cardy.

Meanwhile, last weekend Ireland's first ever UCI Track registered track squad Pezula took part in the Revolution Series at Manchester which attracts the world's top track athletes.

Mayo's David O'Loughlin finished second in the 15 kilometre scratch race for Elite men, just behind former world points race champion Chris Newton (Recycling.co.uk). 2006 FBD Insurance Rás yellow jersey wearer Mike Friedman (USA) was third, one place ahead of past Paris-Roubaix winner Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas). All four gained a lap on the rest of the field, paving the way for a big showdown.

Dubliner Paul Healion was fifth in two races, coming home behind Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile), Geraint Thomas (Barloworld), Colby Pierce (USA) and Friedman in the 28 lap motor-paced scratch event with Martyn Irvine from Ards eighth.

Healion then repeated the placing in the 10km points race, which was won by Pierce ahead of Ed Clancy (Landbouwkrediet), Newton and Friedman. O'Loughlin was seventh, one place behind Cavendish.

Meanwhile Kate Rudd (Ireland) took part in three Elite women's races at the meet. She was tenth in the 8km scratch race, won by Alex Greenfield (Pinarello RT), Lizzie Armitstead (Global RT) and Lucy Martin (Team Chance). She was also tenth in the 8km points race, with the top three there being Armitstead, Katie Colclough (Fat Birds RT) and Kate Cullen (City of Edinburgh).

Cycling Ulster Youth riders are requested to keep November 3 free so that they can participate in a special fun day which will be held at the Craigavon Watersports Centre.