Old hands in biggest Games team yet
WELLINGTON: There are proven performers throughout a recordsized New Zealand cycling team named to compete at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
A 33strong squad covering track, road and mountainbike disciplines has been named, featuring 12 riders who competed at the Glasgow Games four years ago.
The New Zealand cycling squad in Glasgow numbered 29 and brought home 15 medals.
It will be a third Games for eight of the group, including worldchampion performers Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins (track team sprint) and women’s road time triallist Linda Villumsen.
Powerhouse Webster was the most decorated performer in Glasgow, claiming two golds and a silver.
Another to taste gold in Glasgow was crosscountry mountain biker Anton Cooper, while Shane Archbold, who won gold and bronze on the track, moves to the road race on the Gold Coast.
Two notable inclusions are crosscode pair Hamish Bond and Kate McIlroy.
Bond (31) will contest the road race and time trial, having made a success of his switch from rowing, in which he won nine world championship titles and a second Olympic pairs gold medal at Rio in 2016.
It is a third Games sport for 36yearold McIlroy, who will contest the road race.
She was fifth in the 3000m at the 2006 Commonwealth
Games in Melbourne and 12th in the triathlon at Glasgow.
New Zealand’s road selection options were limited by professional teams being unable to release contracted riders.
Among those granted clearance was proven World Tour rider Jack Bauer, who won a silver in Glasgow.