Mastering fast track crucial for cyclists

EXPERIENCED: New Zealand's sprint team of Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins will have tough conditions in Mexico this weekend.PHOTO/FILE 07112014WCSUPSPRINT

After a 30-hour haul to Mexico, Wanganui's Dayle Cheatley knows just how important it is to adapt to the moment when the New Zealand team competes in the opening UCI Track World Cup series event this weekend.

The Bike NZ head coach has had opportunity now to inspect the indoor track at Guadalajara, which is 1400m above sea level.

However it is the slick surface itself, considerably quicker than when the New Zealanders raced on it last year, that will provide a bigger challenge than altitude, especially with Rio 2016 always in the back of the mind for the 16-strong team.

The first World Cup programme of the season will be a condensed two-and-a-half day format, focusing on the five Olympic events of team sprint, individual sprint, keirin, team pursuit and omnium.

"There's some effect from altitude that we need to adapt to, but more so the track surface will be a key because it is a fast track and it is important to ride it technically well to get the most from it," Cheatley said.

There are 40 nations at this event with the leading teams all sending their best combinations, including Australia, Great Britain, France, Germany and Russia.

"Our main focus is on February's world championships and this is the first big international step towards that," said Cheatley. "The aim is to build from our performances at Oceania Championships and progressively improve through the World Cup series."

Therefore, while he would like podium finishes this weekend, Cheatley's primary demand of the team is "progressive improvements", especially after the long haul to get there and the need to adapt to the environment.

"We are getting used to it now and we have good processes in place."

Cheatley expects the crack men's sprint group - world and Commonwealth Games champions Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins - to use their reputations to positive effect on their opposition.

"They are working hard and want to retain those jerseys so I am sure they will be riding with real confidence."

Southland's Cameron Karwowski, a former junior team sprint world champion, has been selected for his first major omnium, while the men's team pursuit will feature the return of London Olympic medallist Westley Gough to join Marc Ryan, Aaron Gate and Piet Bulling.

"There's some depth in this squad back home and with some more experienced riders potentially coming back into the fold it will make this squad competitive and a challenge for us to get the mix right," said Cheatley.

This World Cup event will also be the first for the New Zealand women cyclists since before the London Olympics, after they did well at the recent Oceania Championships.

The sprint pairing of Stephanie McKenzie and Katie Schofield have real opportunity to press their claims.

"We have an objective to qualify all team spots for Rio and from there decide who fills those spots," said Cheatley. "The women's sprint squad have been given that opportunity now and it is their first hit-out for 18 months at this level."

Competition starts with qualifying for team sprint and team pursuit today, with semifinals and finals on Sunday. Tomorrow is also the first day of the omnium, women's sprint and men's keirin, which concludes Monday.