Cycling: NZ men into team pursuit World Cup final

The New Zealand team pursuit side in action at the Track Cycling World Champs. Photo / Getty

The New Zealand men have eased into the final of the team pursuit at the track cycling World Cup with a 5.612s victory over Denmark.

With Cam Karwowski replacing Nick Kergozou from the qualifying quartet, the foursome established a 0.969s lead by the 1000m mark. That dipped to 0.763s at the 1500m before they pedalled away.

The New Zealanders again tracked at sub-four-minute pace, clocking 3m 57.112s.

However, Kiwis concerns were justified. Australia eased through to meet them in the final, clocking 3m 55.363s. They appeared to taper late as they approached the back of the Swiss train.

The Danish and Swiss times were not fast enough to reach the bronze medal ride off, which will be contested by Germany and the Netherlands.

The New Zealand women suffered a 5.065s defeat to Australia in their team pursuit semi-final but will race for the bronze against the United States.

They wore a 2.195s deficit at the 2000m mark before the world champions rode away.

Of the other Kiwis in action, sprinter Natasha Hansen set a national record of 10.990s in her qualifier. It beat her previous best by 0.176s, but she was eliminated in the first round by Dutch rider Laurine van Riessen.

"I'm a bit disappointed but pleased to do a New Zealand record," Hansen said. "I feel like the gap is reducing. Coming into the last lap I lost speed trying to make my second run. I should have backed myself with more confidence."

After the omnium's scratch race and individual pursuit components, Holly Edmondston sits 13th in the women's; Nick Kergozou is 12th in the men's.

Elsewhere, Sam Webster qualified directly into the second round of the men's keirin with an opening victory. He needs to finish in the top three to make the final.

Webster joins teammates Ethan Mitchell and Eddie Dawkins to contest the final of the team sprint tonight against Germany.

It has also been a busy day for the track repair volunteers and doctors with overseas riders strewn across the track in three separate incidents. A ladder even make a cameo to help with one track gouging. Each operation was executed smoothly, proving a smear of putty and a quick sand sorts most dents in a jiffy.

- By Andrew Alderson in Cambridge