A couple of teenagers have been added to an experienced New Zealand squad of 16 for next months World Track Cycling Championships in Hong Kong.
The focus will be on the current world champion men's team sprint in their quest for back-to-back rainbow jerseys in what would be their third in four years.
New Zealand women's pursuit cycle team 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Eighteen-year-old Michaela Drummond, a silver medallist at last year's junior world championships, has been selected in the women's endurance squad.
Drummond won the national elite women's omnium title.
Invercargill's Nick Kergozou and Palmerston North teenager Campbell Stewart have been selected in a six-strong men's endurance squad.
Kergozou competed at last year's world championships in London, while Stewart, 18, has won four world junior championship gold medals.
Cycling New Zealand head coach Dayle Cheatley said "we have a good number of our Rio Olympians back again but we are also excited with the healthy injection of youth into the squads who, along with others who impressed at the age championships, will be pressing our more experienced riders towards Tokyo 2020 and beyond. "
"We are excited about the likes of Michaela Drummond and Campbell Stewart. We won't be putting them under too much pressure but allowing them the opportunity to experience a world championship environment. They are both outstanding prospects but it does take time to transition from junior to elite ranks."
New Zealand cyclist Campbell Stewart. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The sprint squad is led by the world champion trio of Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster, with Zac Williams, while Natasha Hansen is the only female sprinter.
The women's endurance squad comprises the Rio quartet of Racquel Sheath, Jaime Nielsen, Lauren Ellis and Rushlee Buchanan, who performed with distinction in Rio, with Drummond the newcomer.
The men's endurance squad has Rio riders Piet Bulling, Aaron Gate, Regan Gough and Dylan Kennett, with the addition of Kergozou and Stewart.
They will prepare in Cambridge before leaving for Hong Kong early next month.
It is the first time the world championships have been staged in Asia since 1990, when New Zealand earned its first ever women's world championship title after Karen Holliday won the Points Race.
