The SIT Zero Fees Velodrome in Invercargill will be buzzing with excitement as the nation’s top track talent competes in the Track National Championships from March 1 to 5. Cycling Southland is hosting the event, which will bring together riders from all over New Zealand, from the elite level to the under-15s, as they vie for national titles.
Over five days of racing over, 170 riders will take part in the event, with morning sessions starting at 9 am and evening sessions at 5 pm. The event rotates between Invercargill and Cambridge, with Cycling Southland’s major events coordinator Glen Thomson noting the value of hosting the event in Invercargill.
“We are so lucky to have a facility like this in Invercargill, enabling our riders to race a national championship at home. We owe a lot to the people who had the foresight to build this velodrome,” he said.
The event will be a great opportunity for riders to gain exposure to national-level racing without the costs of travel and accommodation. This will remove a potential barrier to participation, not just for Southland riders but also for those from Otago and Canterbury who do not have to travel to Cambridge to race on an indoor velodrome.
The New Zealand national team is currently competing in the Nation’s Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, with some of the top endurance track riders already racing with their professional road teams overseas. As a result, the elite fields are open, creating opportunities for some fresh faces to step onto the podium.
“Without the outright favourites, the racing should be very open and exciting. It is a great opportunity for riders who are not currently part of the national programme to shine and get themselves noticed,” said Thomson.
The event is also significant for riders in the U19 category who will be looking to stake a claim for selection to the Junior World Championships later this year. Southlanders Marshall Erwood, Magnus Jamieson, and Caitlin Kelly are among those who must fancy their chances of getting noticed, with home track advantage on their side.
For many riders, the event will serve as a stepping stone to the Oceania Track Championships taking place in Brisbane at the end of March. More information on the event, including the schedule, can be found on the Cycling New Zealand website. Cycling enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting week of racing at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome as New Zealand’s top track talent compete for national titles.