Cycling boss: Durban snags under control

Durban officials say they can't afford a velodrome like the one in which New Zealand enjoyed success at the Glasgow Games. Photo / Greg Bowker

International body joins tri-nation talks on solving Commonwealth Games problems.

Cycling New Zealand's boss is confident a way will be found to get the sport back on track at the Durban Commonwealth Games.

Since Durban was confirmed as host of the 2022 Games, the spotlight has shone on the absence of track cycling from the programme. It is a key sport for not only New Zealand but also Britain and Australia.

Road cycling is a compulsory sport on the schedule but Durban officials have said they can't afford to build a velodrome and have suggested international federations might be asked to help.

CNZ chief executive Andrew Matheson said yesterday his organisation had been in talks with their British, Canadian and Australian counterparts, along with the International Cycling Union.

"Now we've got the weight of some big players behind it, it gives some good momentum," Matheson said.

"Nothing's in the bag yet, and we'll be monitoring very closely, but having that weight is really important, and I think we'll get there."

Matheson said the UCI have proposed a range of options around the problem and he pointed out the Games are still seven years away.

"We're certainly concerned about it but I guess we're confident we have got the attention on it that it needs to have.

"What would be a fantastic outcome would be the UCI working with the broader South African environment and create a velodrome that would help cycling globally."

As to whether seven years is sufficient to get a velodrome built, Matheson is bullish.

"Having the UCI looking at it from a more global perspective is really beneficial. From the pure building of the facility you've got to look at Rio (host of next year's Olympics) and understand the timelines they are working to."

New Zealand's elite track squad reassembled in Cambridge yesterday after a short break. They have the Oceania championships in Adelaide next month, three World Cups, including a first at the Cambridge Avantidrome on December 5-6, the world championships in London and the Rio Olympics in their sights.

Veteran Greg Henderson will lead a 10-strong team for the world road championships in Richmond, Virginia, starting on September 19.