Riders will crank their wheels back into action after a Covid-hit year for the Vantage Cambridge 3 Day track event at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome in Cambridge starting on Friday.
A number of Tokyo Olympians, Para cyclists and emerging young riders will take part with the event also deciding the national championship titles for the four-event omnium and two-rider madison disciplines.
There will be a new name on the men’s omnium honours with last year’s winner and Tokyo medallist Campbell Stewart not competing as he prepares for his debut into the UCI WorldTour road scene with Team Bike Exchange.
Likewise with the madison, where Stewart paired up with Aaron Gate, who is remained in Europe after competing in the inaugural UCI Track Champions League.
The women’s omnium honours last year went to Tokyo reserve Nicole Shields in a tight battle with fellow Olympians Jessie Hodges and Bryony Botha. All three are back to do battle along with the recent world championship riders Michaela Drummond and Ally Wollaston, who have both returned from road racing in Europe.
Hodges will pair with a new partner in Wollaston, after prevailing in the madison last year with fellow Olympian Rushlee Buchanan, who has recently retired.
The men’s omnium is an exciting and open competition with a raft of talent on display including Tokyo reserve Nick Kergozou and fellow Southlander Tom Sexton, who has returned from road experience in Europe with Black Spoke Cycling Academy. The development chain of talented young riders, several who have been under the watchful eye of Cycling New Zealand development coach, Hayden Roulston, includes Josh Scott, Kiaan Watts, Hugo Jones and George Jackson.
The women’s under-19 competition will see the return of outstanding Christchurch prospect Amelia Sykes who will be looking to add to her bulging collection of championship honours, while South Canterbury’s Jaxson Whyte will be a contender in the men’s under-19 honours.
The sprinters are also in action, headed by Tokyo silver medallist Ellesse Andrews and fellow Olympians Sam Dakin and Callum Saunders, along with interest in the inclusion of fellow Olympian in national BMX champion Rebecca Petch.
A group of emerging Para cycling talent will also compete in sprint, time trial and individual pursuit, led by outstanding international rider Nick Blincoe from Auckland, now based in Cambridge.
Friday’s competition comprises under-19 omnium, elite scratch race, sprint and Para cycling time trials with morning session from 10am and evening from 5pm.
Saturday features the elite omnium and sprint finals, Para cycling individual pursuit and age scratch, tempo and elimination events, with sessions also at 10am and 5pm. Sunday is a single session from 10am with keirin racing, elite madison and Para cycling team sprint.
The event is open to public, with tickets for sale on the door. Spectators must scan their My Vaccine Pass to enter the building and are encouraged to wear masks.
Photo Credit: Cullen Browne
Details: www.cambridge3day.nz