The New Zealand track cycling team is back in the familiar surrounds of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome ahead of their Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow starting overnight Thursday (NZT).
Cycling New Zealand’s recent international track achievements began with an 11-medal haul at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow shortly after the velodrome opened.
There are five riders competing this week who medalled at the first UCI Super World Championships in Glasgow three years ago, and seven returning from the successful 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games campaign.
“We have enjoyed some good success here at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and we look forward to a strong competition at this Commonwealth Games,” said Cycling New Zealand high performance director, Ryan Hollows.
“Our preparations have gone to plan. Our sprinters came directly to Glasgow; the men’s endurance were in Derby while the women’s endurance group were in camp at Bromont in Canada.
“The Quebec camp was also a recon mission as a potential pre-competition base ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics.
“The Commonwealth Games is an important event for us to represent our country. It is also a key building block for the upcoming world championships which mark the start of our Olympic qualification period.
“This is one of only two multisport events that we get to compete and therefore important especially for our younger riders and our para-athletes.
“We are excited to be part of the wider New Zealand team here in Glasgow, supporting the other sports and proud to represent our country.”
Hollows is confident of strong performances in team pursuit and team sprint, along with experienced riders led by Paris medallists Bryony Botha, Ally Wollaston, Emily Shearman and Ellesse Andrews competing.
He is also pleased with both the calibre and preparations of the paracycling team under coach Brendon Cameron.
“Their racing in Glasgow comprises time trials and individual pursuits, which differs from the UCI paracycling programme. But Brendon has focussed on the timed events in the lead-up and the riders are all experienced on the international scene.”
Hollows expects strong competition especially from Australia and England but the New Zealand squad is excited and looking forward to competition.
Racing begins on Thursday evening (NZT) with team pursuit and team sprint qualifying with Emma Foy and pilot Jessie Hodges in Tandem B/Vi sprint and Nicole Murray in C4-5 4000m individual pursuit.
The competition runs until Monday (NZT) and live on SKY TV and Three
The women’s team pursuit team competes at the 2023 UCI World Championships in Glasgow, featuring current Commonwealth Games riders Bryony Botha, Ally Wollaston and Emily Shearman. (Credit: SWPix)