Southlanders in action at national track cycling champs

After a covid-forced lull in competition, the country’s leading track cyclists can test their legs at the Cycling New Zealand Track National Championships starting in Cambridge on Tuesday.

More than 200 riders will contest the five-day competition comprising para-cyclists and able-bodied riders from under-15 grade to elite at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome.

Run under strict red light covid conditions, the competition is split into three groups, competing in morning, afternoon or evening sessions, with each group departing the velodrome before the next group arrives.

While the competition is the starting point to the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics, above all it is finally a chance for riders to enjoy some competition, especially age group and development riders.

It also provides a kick-start for those riders expected to compete in the Oceania Championships in Brisbane early next month.

With a number of the Tokyo Olympic women’s endurance group retired and several men’s endurance riders in pro road teams overseas, there are opportunities for developing riders to stake their claims.

In-form Regan Gough will miss the competition with illness leaving Nick Kergozou and Tom Sexton as senior riders along with the likes of George Jackson, Hugo Jones and Kiaan Watts to put their hand up in endurance men.

“We will be looking for personal bests across the board from our development riders and not forgetting there are UCI points up for grabs,” said men’s endurance coach, Craig Palmer.

Bryony Botha has been in sparking form and likely to challenge her recent individual pursuit national record, with fellow Olympian Holly Edmondston, coming back into competition, and Ally Wollaston pressing their claims along with development riders Samantha Donnelly, Pru Fowler, Ella Wyllie and Emily Shearman.

“We are looking for our development riders, who have come off a training camp, to put their hands up. There are a lot of opportunities ahead with the Oceania Championships and on to the Nations Cup and not to mention the Commonwealth Games later in the year,” said women’s endurance coach, Ross Machejefski.

Tokyo Olympians Sam Dakin and Callum Saunders lead the way in men sprint, with Sam Webster still to return to competition, with interest from Tasman’s Kaio Lart, Southland’s Bradly Knipe, Canterbury’s Sebastian Lipp and converted track athlete, Cameron French (Waikato BOP).

Olympic silver medallist Ellesse Andrews returns to team sprint competition to start a big year with the Oceania Championships building towards nations Cup and Commonwealth Games. Other female sprinters looking to impress include the return of 2018 Commonwealth Games rider Emma Cumming, Waikato BOP’s Olivia King and Rebecca Petch, who defended her national BMX crown at the weekend.

“We are looking at all of our combinations and excited to see the riders back in competition. There are opportunities for all riders and we will be looking closely at how they handle this first competition as we look ahead,” said Sprint Coach, Fionn Cullinane.

Competition starts on Tuesday at 9am and finishes on Saturday evening.

No public is allowed although the event will be live-streamed on Sky Sport NEXT. Link can be found on www.tracknationals.nz

Southland track cycling team:

Elite women: Nicole Marshall, Emma Cumming, Nicole Shields, Jess Spencer, Tienkie Venter.

Elite men: Bradley Knipe, Nick Kergozou, Tom Sexton, Haydn Jack, Hamish Keast, Morgan Borrie.

Under 19 women: Ciara Kelly, Jaz McLeod, Alana Breen, Ruby Bath, Pearl Harris.

Under 19 men: Jesse Willis, Charlie Tinoai, Marshall Erwood, Scott Henderson, Ronan Shearing, Conrad Clark, Tom Kerr, Xavier Fraser.