Cycling: Uphill slog for new faces in World Cup

A new-look New Zealand track cycling team head for the heights of Colombia today, mindful that they have a mountain to climb to emulate last year's golden deeds at the World Cup meeting in Cali.

Track coach Max Vertongen's lineup bears little resemblance to the squad who collected two golds and a bronze last year.

Sarah Ulmer, who won gold in the individual pursuit, is competing on the United States road circuit. Glen Thomson, a bronze medallist in the men's points race last year, is also a non-starter as he races on the road in Germany.

The record-breaking men's pursuit team who won gold at Cali were dismantled after the Sydney Olympics.

Only the drugs-tainted Lee Vertongen, and Greg Henderson survive from the lineup which set a New Zealand record of 4m 5.861s at Cali. The team later made the Olympic quarter-finals.

Veteran Gary Anderson has taken a break from the track to concentrate on coaching juniors, Tim Carswell is on honeymoon in Europe, and Brendon Cameron's future in the sport is unclear.

Promising newcomers Hayden Godfrey, Shane Melrose, Matthew Randell, Hayden Roulston and Jason Allen are vying for places in an inexperienced quartet saddled with qualifying for the world championships in Belgium in September.

"The team is like chalk and cheese compared to last year," Max Vertongen said.

"The teams pursuit is like the All Blacks losing all their stars and just having their reserves on."

He said the pursuit team, spread throughout the South Island, Palmerston North and the United States, had not had the chance to train together.

"There are no expectations, we'll just do the best we can."

To qualify for the world championships, the team need to make the top 10 at the end of the circuit.

If they secure a top five spot at one World Cup meeting, it could be enough, but Vertongen conceded that was a long shot at Cali.

"The good thing is they have enthusiasm. It's a matter of seeing who fills the shoes of the old boys."

New Zealand are also expected to compete at World Cup meetings in Mexico, Poland, Italy and Malaysia.

Joanne Kiesanowski is the sole female representative and has a busy schedule racing the sprint, individual pursuit and points race.

The rising star won a gold at this year's Oceania track champs before joining a road team in the United States.

"I understand she's going pretty well in the States. She's another new one on the scene and hopefully she'll perform," Max Vertongen said.

He said Colombia, notorious as one of the most violent countries on the planet, held no fears for the team.

"It's [violence] always a worry, but it's part and parcel of being away with a team. They actually run a damn good World Cup."

The events runs from May 26 to 28.

Team: Anthony Peden (Wanganui) sprint, kierin; Lee Vertongen (Palmerston North) teams pursuit, madison; Greg Henderson (Dunedin) teams pursuit, points race; Hayden Godfrey (Christchurch) teams pursuit, individual pursuit; Shane Melrose (Invercargill) teams pursuit; Matthew Randall (Invercargill) teams pursuit, madison; Jason Allen (Christchurch) teams pursuit, kilo time trial; Hayden Roulston (Ashburton) teams pursuit, madison; Joanne Kiesanowski (Christchurch) sprint, individual pursuit, points race.

- NZPA