Cycling will be one of Team GB's best hopes of success next year after their domination at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where they claimed 14 medals, including eight gold, to finish top of the medal table for the sport.

British Cycling President Brian Cookson was on hand to welcome the British Prime Minister, along with chief executive Ian Drake, performance director David Brailsford (pictured right) and Manchester City Council's head of sport Eamonn O'Rourke.

Cameron also met Olympic champions Ed Clancy (pictured centre) and Paul Manning, before being shown the BMX Indoor Arena - part of the legacy plan for London 2012 - where he met world time trial champion Shanaze Reade.

It is one of only a handful of indoor BMX tracks in the world, and Cameron was asked to support the future of road racing in the UK.

"I have been very impressed by the set-up here in Manchester, both in terms of the facilities which are second to none, but also the sense of professionalism and winning mentality you see in the coaches and riders alike," said the Prime Minister.

"It is inspirational to see how British Cycling has achieved the success it has enjoyed over the past few years and I look forward to watching our cyclists in action at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Cookson added: "It is a great honour for everyone at British Cycling to have the Prime Minister here and his visit could not have come at a better time.


"Only last week Mark Cavendish claimed a world title for Britain in the men's road race, making cycling history, and we also celebrated doubling our membership since 2007 to 40,000 members.

"Not only are we on track with our elite performance, we are also on target to get one million more people cycling regularly and increase weekly participation to 125,000 by 2013, and are delivering a fantastic participation legacy of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"I would like to thank the Prime Minister for showing such keen interest in our sport and I am confident that our staff and athletes will take inspiration from his visit see it as a massive boost on the final approach to London 2012."

Following the visit, Cameron was due back at his party's gathering in Manchester, which concludes tomorrow when he gives a keynote address.

Paralympic champions Sarah Storey and Barney Storey were also at the conference yesterday with culture, media and sport secretary Jeremy Hunt to discuss their preparations for next year's Paralympic Games.

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