New Zealand’s cycling stars join in with rising talent in National Track Series

New Zealand’s Olympic hopefuls, starved of competition throughout Covid-19 lockdown, will make an appearance at two national age-group cycling events starting this weekend.

The Vantage New Zealand endurance riders will have a busy time, with some competing in both the first National Track Series at the Avantidrome in Cambridge on Friday and the Vantage New Zealand Age Road Championships in Waipukurau, starting on 17 July.

The National Track Series is a three-event competition open for riders from Under-17 to Under-23, with two rounds at the Avantidrome and the final round at Invercargill.

The series has proven a significant catalyst for young riders to develop increased tactical and technical awareness as well as attend educational, coaching and other workshops.

There are more than 100 riders for the first event that includes individual and group sprint, points race, a Double Tempo, Madison, Scratch, Tempo, Elimination, Derby, Keirin and Madison Chase events.

Vantage Elite sprinters to compete this weekend include three-time world champion Sam Webster, along with Sam Dakin, and Callum Saunders. The men’s endurance riders include 2020 world champion Corbin Strong with Nick Kergozou, Tom Sexton, Campbell Stewart, Aaron Gate and Regan Gough. The Vantage women’s elite squad competing includes world championship medallists Bryony Botha, Rushlee Buchanan and Holly Edmondston along with the development riders, including 2019 junior world champion Ally Wollaston.

Outstanding age group contenders include national champion Jack Carswell, Mitchel Fitzsimons, Kaio Lart, Sebastian Lipp, Cailen Calkin, Angus Claasen, Prudence Fowler, Ella Wylie and Emily Paterson.

There is also interest in the appearance of European professional Hamish Beadle and junior world individual pursuit world record holder, Finn Fisher-Black, both waiting for European borders to open.

Competition starts at 4pm on Friday for sprint qualifying with session one racing from 6pm to 10pm. Saturday’s sessions are from 12noon to 4pm and 6pm to 10pm and Sunday’s final session 9am to 1pm. Entry is free for spectators.

For more information head to: http://nationaltrackseries.nz/