The New Zealand men's sprint team has won gold at the world track cycling championships in Hong Kong this morning.
Sam Webster, Ethan Mitchell and Eddie Dawkins finished on top at the World Track Cycling Championship in Hong Kong. Photo: Guy Swarbrick
The defending champion team - made up of Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins - came out on top against the Netherlands after three rides in less than two hours in an intense new format.
It's the teams third world championship in five years and they picked up a silver at last year's Rio Olympics.
Mitchell said the team has showed a lot of grit in their last ride.
"I think that last ride was one of the messiest rides we've done but sometimes the hardest fought battles are the most rewarding and to come out on top reassured to us how tight we are as a team."
Mitchell said changing up their training programme since the Rio Olympics had paid off.
"We took a step back and really broke down what happened and how we could improve, not just for this year but for the four years leading into the Tokyo Olympics.
"Taking out the champs has given us some fire in the belly to continue on and focus on the lead up to Tokyo," Mitchell said.
The men's team pursuit has qualified for the gold medal ride against Australia today, after winning their semifinal against Italy.
