Cycling: Injury handicap for Peden

New Zealand sprint cyclist Anthony Peden is likely to ride through the pain barrier in the Keirin sprint event at the Dunc Gray Velodrome today.

Peden withdrew from the men's sprint first round last Monday with a bad back after qualifying near the end of the field.

A CT scan at the New Zealand medical headquarters in the Games village revealed the former Australian had suffered a compressed rib nerve in his lower back.

Peden had a cortisone injection to ease his discomfort and after two days' rest he was back in the saddle yesterday, encouragingly completing a two-hour workout at the Olympic venue.

"He made it through all right but we're still playing it by ear," team physio Mark Hollands said.

Coach Ron Cheatley was optimistic: "He's a definite starter at this stage, the injection just took a couple of days to take full effect."

The New Zealand camp considered Peden a medal contender, and were anxious he ride.

He won the silver at the world championships last year but has been hampered by the back injury and a bout of gastro-enteritis since arriving in his former homeland.

Peden became a New Zealand citizen two years ago, quitting Australian cycling in frustration because of the lack of international opportunities.

Matt Sinton has been selected to ride as a support rider in cycling's most combative event.

The Keirin, pronounced "kay-rin," makes its Olympic debut in Sydney. It began as a betting race in Japan in the 1940s.

It is contested over eight laps, with competitors riding behind a motorcycle for the first 5 1/2 laps. The motorcyclist accelerates to a speed of 45 km/h before leaving the track so the riders can sprint the remaining 650m to the finish.

- NZPA