Southland Sport
Five Southlanders form part of a 17-strong Cycling New Zealand squad competing in the UCI Track World Championships in Germany next month.
Eddie Dawkins, Nick Kergozou, Corbin Strong, Natasha Hansen, and Kirstie James will make their way to Berlin in what will be a litmus test for the Vantage elite team in the Tokyo Olympics.
The 17 cyclists from throughout New Zealand form sprinter and endurance teams which will be working hard to secure enough points and accolades for a Tokyo Olympics nomination.
Cycling New Zealand High Performance Director Martin Barras said sprinters would be chasing top-six placings. Endurance cyclists, on the other hand, will be dedicating their efforts to a team Olympic outcome.
Kirstie James forms part of the Vantage Elite female endurance team, while Nick Kergozou and Corbin Strong are on the male endurance team. Eddie Dawkins and Natasha Hansen are both sprinters.
The UCI Track World Championships will be in Berlin from February 26 to March 1. The Tokyo Olympics will follow five months later.