Cycling: Kiwis on track to deliver at Games

Kiwi cyclists Sam Webster (left) and Eddie Dawkins go up against each other in the men's sprint finals at the World Cup meeting at Cambridge. Picture / Alan Gibson

The World Cup in Cambridge delivered a podium return which suggests New Zealand's track cyclists can secure unprecedented success at the Rio Olympics.

Their three medals came against a relatively strong World Cup field, all of whom were pursuing the requisite points to earn Games spots.

The Russian and British team pursuits were not at full strength, but the majority of contenders were present across the Olympic disciplines.

The New Zealanders held their own. The only quibble would be the failure to win a gold medal to reward the legion of home fans.

However, the foundation to their programme is depth or, as it's euphemised, "friendly competitiveness". Another description might be "ruthless hunger".

Whoever is picked for nine men's and eight women's spots will be primed for Rio. In theory, and probably practice, no one's data or attitude will be exempt from scrutiny in the coming months. All selections are conditional on strong performances at March's world champs in London.

In terms of the men's Olympic team make-up, Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins look certainties as the team sprint which is contesting against the team pursuit to be New Zealand's priority medal event. If they get the nod, Cycling New Zealand would also nominate a sprint reserve, probably Matt Archibald. That would involve a brutal, but at this stage fair, decision to omit 2012 Olympic keirin bronze medallist Simon van Velthooven.

Webster and Dawkins would likely contest the less important -- to New Zealand's medal chances -- keirin and individual sprint which occur later in the Rio programme.

In the endurance arm, four riders are guaranteed selection for the team pursuit. Aaron Gate, who was rested at the weekend, seems the favourite to take the omnium spot, although Nick Kergozou's seventh at this meet will keep the pressure on. Gate, a team pursuit bronze medallist at London, could cross over to the team pursuit if there is an injury or another rider needs resting in the Olympic Games qualification round.

One rider, possibly Gate given he's the third best medal bet at this stage, would be named in the road team and then cross over as the ninth track athlete during the Games.

The pursuit would be selected from the incumbent world champion squad of Dylan Kennett, Piet Bulling, Alex Frame, Regan Gough and Marc Ryan, along with Hayden Roulston, Cam Karwowski and Kergozou.

The women's programme is simpler to decide. The incumbent team pursuit of Lauren Ellis, Rushlee Buchanan, Jaime Nielsen and Georgia Williams would go, alongside team sprinters Natasha Hansen and Katie Schofield (with Hansen a keirin and individual sprint contender).

Alysha Keith or omnium prospect Holly Edmondston could go as endurance back-up and one rider could cross from the road team to meet the eight-woman quota.

New Zealand has earned six Olympic velodrome medals. Three or more could be on offer this time as high performance director Mark Elliott keeps building his legacy.

Elliott said the quality of athletes meant tough calls needed to be made.

"We've got a current world champion [men's] team pursuit and the sprinters [second in the world] are in there as well. At this stage, we'll look at both those teams first. It's about which one is going to be putting themselves in that prime medal spot after the world championships.

"The women are not such a challenge. At this stage, we've got to qualify enough numbers, so there's flexibility and, if required, options in the road programme."

Team selections will be made in June after Cycling New Zealand send their submissions for New Zealand Olympic Committee approval.