Cycling

World Cup, Monday 2pm.

There’s little respite for New Zealand’s leading track cyclists. Already one World Cup is behind them and the second is this weekend in LA before a short break leading into April’s world championships in Hong Kong. The Los Angeles meet will mark the final outing at which Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins can wear the coveted rainbow jerseys as reigning world champions. Encouraged by strong showings at the recent national championships, the trio head into the World Cup with justified confidence and, ultimately, the chance to defend their world title and wear the jerseys for another year. Jaime Nielsen, Rushlee Buchanan and Racquel Sheath, all members of New Zealand’s endurance team at Rio, along with Alysha Keith and Michaela Drummond, will line up in Los Angeles. There is no men’s team pursuit this weekend, leaving rising stars Campbell Stewart and Tom Sexton to chase glory in the Madison and scratch races here. Rio Olympian Natasha Hansen returns to the track to contest the sprint events.