Ellesse Andrews headlines the NZ team for the Track Cycling World Champs. Photo: SW Pix / www.photopsort.nz
The New Zealand track cycling team begin their buildup to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics when they contest the Track World Championships in Santiago, Chile starting on Thursday (NZT).
The Kiwi track cyclists led all sports at Paris with five medals overall and two golds and a silver for Ellesse Andrews.
Over a year on, the focus has already turned to the LA Games.
Ellesse Andrews in action. Photo: AFP/SEBASTIEN BOZON
While quality performances are a clear goal, there are half of the Paris team who are not in Chile for a variety of reasons - from time out, other cycling pursuits, injuries, and pregnancy.
Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director, Ryan Hollows, said that give several newcomers a chance to shine.
"This is year one of the cycle and we come to the world championships with a mix of experience and new faces as we give riders important experience to stake their claims when we look at the first Olympic qualification events next year," Hollows said.
"It's worth noting that we only have a men's team pursuit here in Santiago and just two of them rode in Paris.
"With Rebecca Petch pregnant and Shaane Fulton in rehab after surgery, there's no women's team sprint. Likewise with Ally Wollaston ending her season after a head knock on the road, there is no women's team pursuit.
Ally Wollaston. Photo: FDJ-Suez
"It is an opportunity to see riders in different events, and some new riders who will have their first world championship experience.
"We have no expectation or pressure on the riders, more a case of exposing them to world championship racing and providing an opportunity to stake claims for teams for next year."
Leading the team is double Olympic gold medallist Andrews who will contest the sprint, keirin and time trial. This has been lengthened to the men's distance of 1000m which has sparked Andrews' interest with her endurance background.
She is joined by Paris Olympian Sam Dakin in sprint.
Paris riders Tom Sexton and Keegan Hornblow are joined by Nic Kergozou and rising 20-year-old Marshall Erwood, who has been riding with success on the road with his MitoQ NZ Cycling Project team in USA this year.
World Tour rider Campbell Stewart is returning to the track, and in the absence of Aaron Gate, he will ride the key individual events of the omnium, elimination and scratch.
The pursuit team is rounded out with the inclusion of successful mountain biker and road rider, Ben Oliver, trying his hand on the track.
The women's endurance team comprises the outstanding and experienced Bryony Botha along with two younger riders of real promise in Sami Donnelly, the reserve in Paris, and rising Auckland hope Pru Fowler.
The five-day competition begins on Thursday (NZ Time).
Track, Women: Ellesse Andrews, Bryony Botha, Sami Donnelly, Prudence Fowler, Emily Shearman. Men: Sam Dakin, Marshall Erwood, Keegan Hornblow, Nick Kergozou, Ben Oliver, Tom Sexton, Campbell Stewart.
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