Kiwi Track Cyclists Dominate Opening Day of Hong Kong World Cup

New Zealand track cyclists claim two golds and a silver on day one of the UCI World Cup in Hong Kong, with pursuit wins for both men and women.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 4:16 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Women’s Team Pursuit: A Strategic Comeback

The women’s pursuit team of Bryony Botha, Samantha Donnelly, Emily Shearman, and Ally Wollaston initially faced a challenging start, qualifying third fastest behind Italy and China. However, a tactical rider change ahead of the knockout rounds proved decisive:

The Substitution: Prue Fowler replaced Donnelly for the first round, where the team defeated China to secure a place in the gold medal match.

The Victory: In the final, the Kiwis outpaced Great Britain to claim the gold.

Refining the Ride: Emily Shearman noted the team wasn't satisfied with their morning qualifying run and focused on a "well-executed" final to secure the win.

Men’s Team Pursuit: Consistent Speed