Cycling: Playing catch-up in the cold

The six-man New Zealand team for the World Cup in Moscow next week will have only eight days' track work behind them before striking some of the world's best riders.

The six have gathered in Christchurch for a week-long camp with coaches Max Vertongen and Australia's Charlie Walsh.

"The team have been doing endurance work. This will be the first track work they have done for several months," Vertongen said.

The six comprise four Cantabrians - Hayden Roulston, Hayden Godfrey, Heath Blackgrove and Marc Ryan - and Otago's Greg Henderson and Palmerston North's Lee Vertongen.

They added some spice to a Christchurch track meeting, dominating the senior men's events and getting some valuable practice in the madison.

Vertongen said it would be difficult travelling to the other side of the world and have only three days to acclimatise to the below-freezing temperatures, before competing at the indoor venue in Moscow.

"It is not ideal, but we have no other alternative," he said.

"It is important that we do well in Moscow. There are four World Cups in the next three months and they are qualifying meetings for the world championships [in China in July]. The guys will give it their best shot. We won't be there to make up the numbers."

All will compete in endurance events.

The other World Cups are in Mexico next month, and South Africa and Sydney in April. Vertongen said different teams would attend those meetings.

New Zealand Cycling is hamstrung for money and that was a consideration in the selection for Moscow.

Only Godfrey and Henderson will return after Moscow. The other four will join road teams in Europe.

- NZPA