A CROP of medals at the Sydney Olympics has brought glory for Britain's cyclists -- and given a massive boost to Manchester's Velodrome.

But Bolton cyclists who have been rubbing shoulders for years with Britain's top track riders at the futuristic track say they always knew it was just a matter of time before the whole world saw the benefits.

Fred Smith, the Little Lever man who regularly coaches youngsters there, says he is confident that Britain's Olympic medals will rid the Velodrome of its unfair "white elephant" tag once and for all.

Bosses at the Velodrome built in Stuart Street, East Manchester six years ago by Manchester City Council and now run by the British Cycling Federation alongside a Velodrome Trust, say Britain's Olympic squad -- who all train there -- are a team in a million.

That's just about the value of the advertising boost they have given to the Velodrome -- now known as the National Cycling Centre -- after its years of fighting critics who claimed it was all a waste of money. Success in Sydney, they say, is the icing on the cake on a long term "performance plan" to give Britain a track cycling team to match the world's best.

The gold, silver and bronze that the Velodrome team are bringing back to Manchester from Sydney has virtually ensured that cyclists from far and wide will be clamouring to ride the hardwood track under a massive, pillar-less dome built by Watson Steel of Bolton.

Already, though, the Velodrome is well used by riders from the Bolton area, thanks largely to the efforts of men like Fred Smith.

Fred, who at the age of 61 has been enjoying one of his best ever seasons cycle racing, has coached scores of school age youngsters and encouraged many senior riders to give the track a try.

Veterans like Tony Bowles of Bolton Clarion and Phil Collins of Bury Clarion admit they are "hooked" and they have encouraged others into the sport.

The result has been upwards of 40 riders at a time from the Bolton and Bury area using the Velodrome.

Fred Smith said: "Four years ago in Atlanta, Britain had the potential but not the performance plan to make it happen. Now there is proper direction and it has paid off. "And the exciting thing is that young talent, including some from Bolton, is coming through."

Tony Bowles said: "Dave Heald and Tom Butterworth from Bolton Clarion have both trained with the national squad and Dave went on win the national one kilometre title. Tom was last year's Manchester Divisional junior road race champion."

Tony and Phil Collins have both been riding the track leagues since the Velodrome opened. Tony said: "It's a wonderful venue and I'd recommend it to anyone either as a rider or spectator."

Bikes can be hired at the centre and there are regular coaching sessions for total novices.

Velodrome general manager Jarl Walsh said: "The Velodrome has never been a white elephant. It is used seven days a week and is a cycling facility for the people, whatever their age or ability."

"Gold medal winner Jason Queally is based here as are all the rest of the British squad."

Fred Smith said: "What other sport is there where youngsters can train on the same track as the top stars and then have a chat with them? Chris Boardman came over and had a long talk with some children I was coaching. They were thrilled to bits."

And already success at the Olympics is having positive results says Jarl Walsh. "The demand for tickets for the world championships at the Velodrome in October is so great that it will soon be a sell out. The British team are going to get the most amazing reception there."

The highlight will be Chris Boardman having another crack at lowering the world hour record of 56.375 kilometres he set on the Manchester track in 1996.