Levin track cyclist Thomas Garbett (above) has been named as part of the 14-strong team to contest the UCI Junior World Track Cycling Championships in Switzerland, held at the UCI headquarters in Aigle from 15-20 August.
National coach Jon Andrews said the level of competition in Europe, especially among the junior track programmes, is increasing significantly as nations realise its importance as they build track capability for Olympic competition.
"The competition in Italy last year was very impressive with many nations ramping up their junior programmes," Andrews said. "Russia and Denmark were extremely strong in the junior men and Italy in the junior women last year.
"We have held our own with our four medals last year and now we take a largely new team with a number of them eligible to compete in 2019 as well which is very exciting looking ahead."
Triple national junior champion in all three sprint disciplines, Thomas Garbett, is the sole male sprinter in the team.
The team is: Female, Endurance: Ally Wollaston (Cambridge), McKenzie Milne (Waikato), Jenna Merrick (Auckland), Samantha Donnelly (Christchurch), Annmarie Lipp (Christchurch).
Sprint: Shaane Fulton (Nelson), Sophie-Leigh Bloxham (Invercargill).
Male, Endurance: Bailey O'Donnell (Christchurch), Corbin Strong (Invercargill), Finn Fisher-Black (Nelson), George Jackson (Waikato), Jarred Treymane (Cambridge), Kiaan Watts (Taupo). Sprint: Thomas Garbett (Levin).