Cycling: Cooper breezes round velodrome

Anton Cooper. Photo / File.

Anton Cooper is used to riding a bike on rugged terrain rather than a concrete velodrome.

The 20-year-old, who claimed gold in the cross-country mountain biking event at last year's Commonwealth Games in an exciting one-two finish alongside fellow Kiwi Samuel Gaze, showed off his wares on a track in Christchurch today.

With a busy year in Europe on the World Cup circuit ahead, Cooper was on-hand as Sky donated $200,000 to help repair and upgrade the Denton Oval cycling track.

Despite wearing jeans and street shoes, Cooper rode with a collection of local cyclists for a few laps around a velodrome that was used for track cycling at the 1974 Commonwealth Games.

Cooper, who is from Woodend, which is 25km north of Christchurch, has completed the first phase of his season having spent a few weeks in the US recently after competing domestically.

"I got to spend quite a bit of summer at home, which was nice," he said. "The big goal this year is for Olympic selection."

Cooper will need to perform well on the international circuit to earn an Olympic nomination and his selection likely won't be rubber-stamped until next year.

Meanwhile, Sky chief executive John Fellet said his company's commitment to the Denton Oval facility was vital to helping Canterbury athletes.

"We decided to concentrate our efforts there as these types of facilities are fundamental to the health and well-being of local communities, particularly their young people," he said.