Cycling New Zealand will signal the start of the campaign towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games with two key track events in Cambridge in December.

The Grassroots Trust Velodrome will host the Omnium and Madison National Championships in Cambridge on 10-11 December as standalone national events.

Organisers are hoping to also confirm a UCI Class 2 international track competition to follow on from the championships, which would likely attract quality competition from home and abroad.

“With the omnium and madison to run as part of a standalone event, we thought it was an ideal opportunity for the Grassroots Trust Velodrome to play host,” said Craig Rodger, Grassroots Trust Velodrome Head of Programmes & Coaching.

“The omnium and madison races usually attract our best riders, especially at that time of year leading up to the international track season early in the year. Both track events are novel and exciting and we believe will prove popular with everyone in Cambridge.

“While discussing this with Cycling New Zealand, we also felt that a UCI C2 Level event would help provide a week of quality international racing and ranking points for riders both from New Zealand and within the Oceania and Asian regions.

“We will be pursuing potential sponsors that we need to make this a reality and great way to wind up the year.”

Cycling New Zealand fully supports the offer from Grassroots Trust Velodrome for both events and will confirm participation from its high performance riders and assist in promoting internationally as well as throughout the country.