Kennett leads impressive Kiwi cycling performances

South Canterbury rider Dylan Kennett has led an impressive performance by three New Zealand cyclists in Poland as they prepare towards the Rio Olympics.

Kennett (Waimate) led a trifecta for the Kiwi riders with Hawkes Bay’s Regan Gough second and Southland’s Nick Kergozou third in the under-23 omnium competition at the Poland Grand Prix.

Kennett was in outstanding form at the Pruszkow Velodrome, which hosted the world championships six years ago. He set personal bests in the individual pursuit, 1000m time trial and flying lap to dominate the competition.

Kennett clocked 4:16.016 for the 4000m time trial and 1:01.187s for the 1000m time trial, with both times faster than the winning performances in the individual events at the national championships this year. He also clocked a personal best 12.772s for the flying lap.

Kennett won the scratch race while Gough took out the elimination.

“All three riders impressed and Dylan’s times were world class,” said Cycling New Zealand head track coach, Dayle Cheatley.

The men’s sprint trio also enjoyed some outstanding form in a meet in Zurich. Ethan Mitchell set the track record in the 200m sprint qualifying before teammate Eddie Dawkins lowered it to 9.998s. It was broken again when Sam Webster clocked 9.997s.

“The sprinters are developing well with five weeks out to their Olympic team sprint,” said Cheatley.
The full New Zealand cycling team will be named late this week with the riders then converging on Bordeaux for the final staging camp before flying to Rio.