Against the Odds: NZ Women’s Team Pursuit Secures Back-to-Back World Cup Gold

Despite being under-strength, the NZ women’s team pursuit combination triumphed over China in Malaysia to secure their second UCI World Cup gold in two weeks.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 4:07 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

A Tactical Triumph in Malaysia

Just one week after a dominant performance in Hong Kong, the New Zealand women’s team pursuit combination faced a series of setbacks heading into the World Cup event in Nilai. The squad lost star rider Ally Wollaston, who returned to Europe for professional road racing commitments, and was further hampered when Prudence Fowler fell ill early in the week.

Faced with a four-rider roster and no substitutes, the team—comprising Bryony Botha, Samantha Donnelly, Emily Shearman, and a diminished Fowler—was forced into a radical tactical shift. Fowler took on the unaccustomed role of "starter," leading for the first few laps before pulling off. This left Botha, Donnelly, and Shearman to complete the final 12 laps of the 4000m race as a trio. The gamble paid off, with the Kiwis qualifying first (4:16.917) and setting the fastest time of the opening round (4:10.857) against the Netherlands.

The Gold Medal Showdown: NZ vs. China

The final against China was a display of grit and endurance. The two teams were locked in a dead heat at the 1000m mark, but the New Zealand trio began to grind out a slim lead through the middle stages. In the final kilometre, the Kiwis powered clear to win by nearly two seconds.

Bryony Botha admitted the team was "surprised" by the result given the circumstances, stating they went into the final with "no expectations" other than to produce a ride they could be proud of. The victory underscores the deep technical bench of the New Zealand track cycling program and its ability to adapt under high-performance pressure.