This week’s national track cycling championships promise to be the most competitive and important for several years. The four-day elite and under-19 championships take place at the Stadium Southland Velodrome in Invercargill starting on Thursday.

World champion cyclist Alison Shanks has withdrawn from the track nationals in Invercargill this week, meaning she won't defend her rainbow jersey at this year’s UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Belarus next month.

Held over 3000 (Women) and 4000 (Men) metres, riders will qualify two at a time with the fastest two qualifiers riding for gold and the third and fourth fastest riding for bronze. Qualifying will be held in the Thursday morning session with evening finals on the opening night of competition.