Davila shows impeccable timing for Nix
NZ riders on track for world championships At a glance
A clutch of past world champions have been named in Cycling New Zealand’s 17-strong squad for next month’s UCI track world championships in Germany.
The championships, to be staged in Berlin from February 26 to March 1, will provide an all-important litmus test for the Vantage elite team five months out from the Tokyo Olympics.
The women’s endurance squad comprises the team pursuit quartet of Rushlee Buchanan, Kirstie James, Holly Edmondston and Bryony Botha that won the UCI World Cup in Cambridge last month, where they were just half a second outside the world record and a full 5sec inside their previous national record.
Waikato’s Jaime Nielsen returns after last competing at the world championships in 2017, having taken time away from the sport after setting a national best time and close to a world record for the one-hour ride.
The men’s endurance squad includes omnium world champion Campbell Stewart, the 2017 individual pursuit world champion Jordan Kerby, Nick Kergozou and Regan Gough. Rio Olympian Aaron Gate will make his return along with exciting Southland teenager Corbin Strong after both riders produced standout World Cup performances.
Both of the endurance squads are highly ranked, with the women second on the Olympic rankings in the team pursuit with the men fourth along with first in the omnium.
The sprinters face more of a challenge at the world championships to secure nominations for Tokyo.
The three-time world champion trio of Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins will compete in Germany, currently ranked fourth in the team sprint but with a massive 2250 points available for the winners they will be chasing a top-six performance in Berlin.
The trio of Natasha Hansen, Ellesse Andrews and Olivia Podmore will compete in the women’s sprint events.
They are currently ninth on Olympic rankings in the team sprint, and will need a competitive finish to secure a tilt at Tokyo.
While the world championships offer the prestige of a rainbow jersey, this year it is not the pinnacle event for New Zealand riders, who will have the bigger picture of Olympic outcomes firmly in their sights.
‘‘Clearly our sprinters will chase topsix placings to bolster their chances both in ranking points and NZOC criteria. There are a lot of points on offer and
Ulises Davila’s timing remains impeccable for the Wellington Phoenix, with his son due to be born during their bye week.
A report this week suggested the midfield maestro could be out for more than a month when he returns to Mexico for the birth of his son in March, which would put a serious dent in the Phoenix’s plans for the run in to the A-league finals.
However, Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay allayed those fears yesterday, saying Davila was expected to be away for only a short time between their match against Newcastle Jets on March 22 and their next encounter against Adelaide United on April 5.
‘‘His wife has just gone back with all his family, but it [the due date] comes in the Fifa window, so he’ll plenty at stake for our riders,’’ Cycling New Zealand high performance director Martin Barras said.
‘‘In terms of endurance events, the main focus will be team pursuit, particularly for the women.
‘‘The bigger picture is that everything they do in Berlin will incorporate a clear Olympic outcome, and not solely about a rainbow jersey.
‘‘This will be our last major international competition before Tokyo, so we probably go for four or five days for the birth of his first child.
‘‘So he’s not away for five or six weeks, or whatever was in the media.’’
The Phoenix’s bye falls between those two games – a Fifa international window where Davila’s All Whites team-mates are also expected to be away with the national team.
There was more good news yesterday with striker David Ball set to travel with the team to Brisbane for their match against the Roar today after missing last weekend’s win over Western Sydney with a hip injury.
‘‘He’ll travel with the squad. We’ll see how we use him against Brisbane. We probably won’t start him at this stage, we’ll see how the game goes,’’ Talay said.
‘‘It would be great to not have to use him, but we’ll see how the game goes.
‘‘The team did well last week.’’
Alex Rufer remains out as he continues to work back to full fitness after suffering a knee injury on December 7.
Talay said their next game after Brisbane, at home to the Newcastle Jets, would still be too soon for him, and he would more likely be targeting a return after their bye, against Perth Glory on February 7.
They would look to get him game time with the reserve team during the week off.
The Phoenix haven’t really missed him, with Cameron Devlin stepping in and performing very
New Zealand squad for this year’s UCI world track championships in Germany. Women
Endurance: Bryony Botha, Rushlee Buchanan, Holly Edmondston, Kirstie James, Jaime Nielsen.
Sprint: Ellesse Andrews, Natasha Hansen, Olivia Podmore.
Men
Endurance: Aaron Gate, Regan Gough, Jordan Kerby, Nick Kergozou, Campbell Stewart, Corbin Strong.
Sprint: Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster. need to have a very clear focus and outcomes before we plot out final path to the Olympics.
‘‘The riders selected for the world championships have the first opportunity to push their claims for final nomination for Tokyo but there are reserves and others in the wings with aspirations.’’
Barras said the depth of talent in the elite squad was a significant factor in the high-quality performances in recent months and while excited at the excellence of the team, he recognised that a number of quality riders would remain at home.
Some of the team will take part in offdiscipline events at the upcoming national championships while others are competing in road races in New Zealand and Australia before final world championship preparations.
The team will head to Germany in mid-February. well in Rufer’s absence. The Phoenix’s first game against Brisbane resulted in their first win of the season when they ran out 2-1 victors at home on November 23.
That was the second game in their current unbeaten run of nine matches. If they win or draw today, they will set a new club record of 10 matches unbeaten.
Phoenix captain Steven Taylor said the Brisbane win was a key moment in their season so far.
‘‘At the start of the season, things weren’t coming off for us. As the Brisbane game was, everything fell our way on the day. The performances have gone from strength to strength from there and the boys have been outstanding since then.
‘‘I think the positive thing is we’ve played a bit poorly in some of the games, especially in the second half of games, and we’ve managed to get the win. That’s the sign of a good side.’’