NZ women’s team pursuit.
Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
The New Zealand women’s team pursuit were the top qualifiers on the opening day of the second UCI Nations Cup in Cairo.
Three UCI Nations Cup competitions replace the previous world cup programmes, and are qualifiers for the world championships and next year’s Paris Olympics.
The men, with their two most experienced campaigners in Aaron Gate and Campbell Stewart having joined their respective professional road teams in Europe, were second fastest in team pursuit qualifying behind Denmark.
Bryony Botha, Ally Wollaston, Samantha Donnelly, Emily Shearman were top seeds and last to run in the women’s 4000m team pursuit and they take on Canada tomorrow in the first round with the winner going directly to the gold medal final.
The men had a new line-up with George Jackson and Tom Sexton from the Commonwealth Games squad, joined by rowing convert Dan Bridgwater, with Nelson’s 21-year-old Keegan Hornblow making his debut.
New Zealand face France in the first round tomorrow with the winner going to the gold medal ride later in the night.
Women’s coach Paul Manning said the open sides of the velodrome had a discernible affect.
“Conditions were quite challenging with some blustery winds here and temperatures were only around 16C degrees.
“The track, which is quite new, is nice enough but the conditions call for a different approach and the girls dealt with it admirably as did the guys.”
The second day of racing includes the team pursuit for men and women, qualifying for the women’s team sprint, with Tokyo Olympian Jesse Hodges making her return to compete in the elimination.
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