Cycling: BikeNZ form U-23 team

Shane Archbold of New Zealand competes in Men's Omnium Individual Pursuit. Photo / Getty Images

BikeNZ have formed their own under-23 cycling team to compete on the road in Europe this year.

New Zealand's leading young endurance track riders will compete in an extensive road campaign based in Belgium for six months, starting this weekend, with the six-strong squad all seen as contenders for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

The squad is headed by recent world track championships silver medallist Shane Archbold.