CYCLING

Olympic cycling great to support UCI Track World Cup

By Sports Media NZ

Sarah Ulmer, the only New Zealand cyclist to win an Olympic gold medal, has been appointed official ambassador for next month’s UCI Track World Cup in Cambridge.

Ulmer, a long-time Cambridge resident, said she was thrilled to support the first ever world cup in New Zealand and the continued development of the sport which is now based at the Avantidrome.

The second of three UCI Track Cycling World Cups, will be staged at the Avantidrome from 4-6 December, expecting to attract approximately 400 riders from 40 nations, providing qualifying points for next year’s world championships and Rio Olympics.

Ulmer has played a role in the establishment of the Home of Cycling facility which she believes is a real asset not only to the sport she loves, but also to her Cambridge community.

“It is a world class facility and the reason we are able to host a World Cup which will be great for Cambridge,” Ulmer said.

“Obviously housing Cycling New Zealand in our town is a real asset for this community. And I hope that having things like rowing and cycling based here, along with the Te Awa Cycle Trail and the skills park at the Home of Cycling will encourage this community to be more active.”


Sarah Ulmer at the Avantidrome in Cambridge. Photo courtesy of Sports Media NZ

Ulmer said she spent much of her career travelling the world for both training and competition, and therefore the benefits of a facility like the Avantidrome is significant.

“It is exciting to see the World Cup in Cambridge and the development of the sport as a result of the Avantidrome,” Ulmer said.

“But I think the sport has only just touched the sides. It’s only been a year for this integrated programme and once they streamline systems and establish development programmes that we will see the real benefits in a few years.

“With good succession planning then cycling can create a real culture of success and we will see the sport mushroom, and with it Cambridge will benefit as a result.”

Ulmer is looking forward to being involved in the schools competition programme – one of the legacy programmes from the UCI World Cup – and to the competition itself.