The New Zealand track cycling head coach Tim Carswell believes this week's world championships in Copenhagen will be one of the tighest in many years.
New Zealand has a 17-strong team competing with Alison Shanks defending her pursuit title on the first day of competition tonight.
Carswell says from what he has seen and been following in recent times there is no one nation that stands out and he feels there are a number of cyclists that will be contenders in every event.
He says Shanks is probably slightly ahead of where she was when she won in Poland last year, but can expect a tough ride from British and American opponents.
Carswell has selected Adam Stewart, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins to compete in the team sprint tonight and while he's not expecting too much from the young lineup he feels they can impress.
Tom Scully will compete in the men's points race tonight.
New Zealand won a gold, a silver and a bronze at last year's World Champs.
