Big challenges for NZ Cycling team in 2026
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Cycling New Zealand’s track riders are primed to begin a demanding international programme starting this month.
The high performance track team will compete at UCI Track World Cups in Hong Kong and Malaysia this month; building to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July and finally the UCI Track World Championships in China in October.
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Meanwhile the Cycling New Zealand Para cycling squad contest UCI Road World Cups in Belgium and Italy in May; the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and then build to the World Championships in the Netherlands in October.
“After a relatively quiet 2025, this year will build to the UCI World Championships at the end of the year. This is an important building-block as we turn our longer-term attention towards the Los Angeles Olympic Games for both of our track squads,” said Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director, Ryan Hollows.
“A clear aim to begin the second half of the year will be the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. While it is a cut-down format, for us it is always a privilege to wear the silver fern and represent our country to the best of our abilities.
“It is also in Glasgow, which has proven a very successful track for our riders.”
Cycling New Zealand has selected a mix of both experience and the future in squads for the Hong Kong and Malaysia World Cups.
Paris Olympic double medallist Ally Wollaston returns from her professional road duties to link back with Bryony Botha, Emily Shearman and Sami Donnelly, with the super-impressive Prudence Fowler joining a powerful endurance group.
Likewise, the men’s endurance squad comprises last year’s world championship medallists Nick Kergouzou, Tom Sexton, Keegan Hornblow and Marshall Erwood. Joining them is experienced UCI Pro Team Burgos Burpellet BH rider George Jackson and newcomer, 20-year-old Daniel Morton from Counties Manukau, a stage winner at January’s SBS Tour of Southland.
Sam Dakin is the lone male sprinter, with Paris star Ellesse Andrews joined by Olympic Games reserve Olivia King and exciting junior sprint record holder, Riley Faulkner (Southland) for the opening round in Hong Kong.
Paris Olympic sprint medallists - new mother Rebecca Petch and injured Shaane Fulton - are yet to return to full training duties, while Wollaston will return to her UCI World Tour duties for the second round in Malaysia, where King will be the sole female sprinter.
UCI World Cup 2, Hong Kong, 17-19 April:
Female Endurance: Bryony Botha, Sami Donnelly, Emily Shearman, Prudence Fowler, Ally Wollaston. Male: Dan Morton, George Jackson, Keegan Hornblow, Marshall Erwood, Nick Kergouzou, Tom Sexton.
Female sprint: Ellesse Andrews, Olivia King, Riley Faulkner. Male sprint: Sam Dakin
World Cup 3, Malaysia, 24-26 April:
Female Endurance: Botha, Donnelly, Shearman, Fowler.
Male: Morton, Jackson, Hornblow, Erwood, Kergouzou, Sexton.
Female sprint: King. Male sprint: Dakin
