Cycling: Heat on cyclists after change in staging

A change in the staging of the team pursuit cycling competition has added pressure to New Zealand's bid to claim a medal.

England and Australia are the heavyweights in the event.

Qualifiers will start at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester on Thursday. In a break with convention there will not be a third-place ride-off, meaning the third-fastest qualifier will automatically win the bronze medal.

The two quickest quartets will race the clock over 4000m in the final.

"This puts more pressure on. The first ride is now so crucial," said New Zealand's head track coach, Max Vertongen.

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