WILTSHIRE teenager Pete Kibble has been named in the cycling team for Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April, it was revealed today.

Kibble, 19, who is from the hamlet of New Zealand near Calne, was named in a 12-strong men's endurance line-up and will be rubbing shoulders alongside the likes of Team Sky's Luke Rowe, who has ridden alongside the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome.

Wales has selected six riders to compete for Team Wales in the men’s road race at the Games on the Gold Coast on April 14, having achieved its best results ever at a Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, bringing home five medals across road, track and para-cycling events.

Kibble is the youngest rider on the road race squad but will now compete for his country as a ‘senior’ rider having previously competed for Wales at both youth and junior level.

He was a member of the Wales’ ‘Project 2018’ whose aim was to produce athletes capable of competing at the Commonwealth Games

The former Royal Wootton Bassett Academy pupil will represent his country at the Games 28 years after his father Phil, now a successful cycling and triathlon coach, did likewise in the triathlon at the Auckland Games of 1990

In 2017, Pete joined the Zappi Racing Team, racing in the UCI (Union Cycliste International) U23 road racing events in Spain and Italy. He is now based in South Wales although much of his training this season has already taken place in Gran Canaria and mainland Spain.

Kibble said: "I'm super happy to announce that I've been selected to represent Team Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.

"First of all, I'd like to say a massive 'thank you' to all of the people who have helped me over the last few years.

The biggest thanks has to go out to my parents (Carol and Phil) who have supported me 110 per cent ever since I started racing.

"I also want to thank Welsh Cycling for giving me this fantastic opportunity. Last year I received financial help from Pedal Potential and the Tom Maynard Trust.

"This helped to fund racing on the continent in 2017, where I gained plenty of experience for the next step in my career.

"I'm also keeping the family tradition alive as my dad represented Wales in the 1990 Auckland commies in the triathlon.

"This means a lot to me as my dad has passed on his wisdom ever since I got into cycling. It's a bit of a coincidence that we'll both have competed in southern hemisphere Commonwealth Games too.

"I am very proud to represent my country and I really want to give it my best shot come April.''

Former Royal Wootton Bassett school pupil and two-time 2016 Olympic Games swimming silver medallist Jazz Carlin has also been named by Team Wales in their swimming team.

Swindon's Carlin, who won silvers in the 400m and 800m freestyle in Rio last year, now lives in Bradford on Avon while training at the University of Bath.