Cycling boss looks to experienced riders in World Cup

National coach Dayle Cheatley is looking to his more experienced riders to lay down a marker in the opening round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester tomorrow (NZ time).

Cheatley has brought a 10-strong squad to Manchester, comprising men’s sprint and endurance riders who will take on 54 nations in the three-day competition.

“The men’s sprint team are becoming quite an experienced group now so we are so we are looking at some solid performances from them, particularly in the team sprint, along with the individual sprint and of course we have Simon van Velthooven in the keirin,” Cheatley said.

He is also expecting a strong showing from world champion Aaron Gate in the omnium competition but has a new combination for the team pursuit, with double Olympic medallist Marc Ryan joined by Shane Archbold, 19 year old Dylan Kennett and 20 year old Pieter Bulling.

”Our goal is to put a time on the board, which I believe will be a good solid time, but at the same time one that we can build on throughout the series. If we lay down a time and it is good for a place, then that is a bonus.

“What we learn out of this campaign is one of our main objectives.  It will be the first time they have ridden together in competition.”

Cheatley said Gate, a member of the medal-winning group in London, was not available with the omnium on the same day.

“It’s unusual to have the omnium at the same time as the team pursuit and that has meant we do not have one of our Olympians but at the same time that represents an opportunity for one of the new young riders to gain some international experience.”

Cheatley is full of praise for 31 year old Ryan, who is in some of the best form of his career.

“Marc is the leader of the group. He has taken up that role really well to lead the three young riders he has with him. His experience is rubbing off and to have someone like him in the team is fantastic and is a real asset to this group over the next couple of years.”

The first day of competition features both team pursuit and team sprint, along with the first day of the omnium, before riders move into individual events, which will also be important.

“The big goal is the world championships, but first you have to get there, so we are looking for solid performances in those individual events to gain important ranking points to qualify for the world championships.”

Cheatley is looking for organisers to lift the temperature in the Manchester Velodrome, which is the base for Great Britain Cycling, and is then expecting fast times this week.

The team have completed their final hitout on the track today and will now look to freshen for competition beginning with qualifying for both team sprint and team pursuit, and the first day of the omnium.
The riders will compete as follows:

Endurance:

Team Pursuit: Dylan Kennett, Marc Ryan, Shane Archbold, Pieter Bulling; Individual pursuit: Kennett; Points race: Bulling; Scratch race: Archbold; Omnium: Gate.
Sprint:

Team sprint: Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster, Eddie Dawkins; Sprint:  Webster, Dawkins, Matt Archibald, Simon van Velthooven; Keirin: Dawkins, van Velthooven; Kilo time trial: Dawkins, van Velthooven.