Plaid Cymru will launch an ambitious bid to bring the Commonwealth Games and Tour de France to Wales if the party wins election to lead the Welsh Assembly in May.

Party leader, Leanne Wood, made her pledge to try and bring the flagship athletics event to the nation in 2026 or 2030, as well as a bid for the men’s and women’s road race – arguably the most prestigious event in cycling.

Wood said she wanted the party to “harness the excitement and ambition” created by the Welsh football team qualifying for the 2016 European Championships – the first tournament it has qualified for since 1958 – and a strong Rugby World Cup showing.

"A Party of Wales government would want to bring the best international sporting occasions to Wales,” she said. "We will develop a Commonwealth Games bid with Wales as the host nation in 2026/2030 - something that would not only have the potential to inspire a whole generation to get involved in sports but also secure a welcome boost for our tourism sector.

"We will also bid to bring the Tour de France to Wales, for both men and women, and work with sports associations and the tourist industry to identify other opportunities for Wales to act as hosts. Plaid Cymru knows that Wales has all the ingredients to be a global success story. Under our leadership, the next Welsh government will ensure that our nation is renowned for excellence, on and off the pitch."

Currently the third party in Wales, Plaid Cymru will run for election to lead the Welsh Assembly in May 2016. Labour, under the stewardship of Carwyn Jones, is currently the first party of Wales.