Commonwealth Games: Challenging day ahead for cyclists and swimmers

The New Zealand men's team pursuiters will have to ride the race of their life to win the gold medal on the cycling track tonight at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Jason Allen, Hayden Godfrey, Marc Ryan and Tim Gudsell ride in qualifying this afternoon with the top two teams going straight to the final.

England is the team to beat having swept the medals in the individual pursuit but Gudsell says they are quietly confident.

Gudsell says they beat Great Britain in December, and the Australian team is new, so they know they have what it takes to beat both.

Nathan Seddon, Justin Grace and Adam Stewart are also in men's sprint qualifying while Liz Williams, Catherine Sell and Fiona Carswell compete in the women's sprint.

Meanwhile in the swimming camp a big decision for freestyle swimmer Alison Fitch.

Fitch has to decide whether to swim in the 100 metres freestyle final or save herself for the women's 200 metres free relay later tonight.

She is sixth fastest for the 100 metres final, but has a real medal chance with the Kiwi team in the relay.

Teammate Hannah McLean's confident her compatriot could manage both.

McLean herself has a big night ahead as fourth fastest qualifier for the final of 100 metres backstroke.

A personal best could be enough for gold.

- NEWSTALK ZB