Cycling: Road to Rio begins in Invercargill

Olympic spots for Rio 2016 could be the reward for the best young Kiwi cyclists competing in next week's UCI junior track world championships in Invercargill.

Following on success in the London Olympics, BikeNZ will be looking to bolster its ranks as they begin the road to Rio.

The 16-strong New Zealand team will be firstly looking for success at the world championships, taking on 154 riders from 24 countries starting on Wednesday at the Invercargill Velodrome.

It is just the second time that the world championships have been staged in New Zealand, following Wanganui in 1983.

BikeNZ high performance director Mark Elliott said the championships could prove a watershed event for the sport in this country.

"Our junior programme has been developing well over the past four years and to stage a world championship in this country is a rare and invaluable opportunity," he said.

"It is a tremendous chance for this group to put their hands up to be part of our programme looking ahead to the 2016 Olympics and beyond."

Many of the teams have already arrived in Invercargill and are looking forward to a track rated one of the fastest sea-level velodromes in the world. They include a 17-strong squad from last year's hosts Russia and also Australia who boast four defending world champions.

The New Zealand team includes six of the team returning from last year's successful group that won a record 10 medals in Moscow. Four of those medal winning riders will compete at Invercargill, comprising Waimate's Dylan Kennett, Wanganui's Cassie Cameron, Auckland's Paige Patterson and Alexandra's Sophie Williamson.

All four won bronze medals with Kennett winning his pair in the omnium and team pursuit, Patterson in the team sprint, Williamson in the points race and Cameron in the scratch race.

The competition runs from Wednesday to Sunday with 19 world championship rainbow jerseys to be awarded.