Sam Dakin and Tahlay Christie won the men's and women's events respectively at Cycling New Zealand's national sprint trial last month and gained a spot at this week's World Cup at the Avantidrome as a result.

Christie described the opportunity as a "dream" while Dakin said he had been working towards this moment for his whole career.

"I am just looking forward to executing well and enjoying the moment that comes along with that," he said.

"It's been so much fun to this point and although the hard work is only just beginning it's a super exciting step."

Both Dakin and Christie will ride in the team sprint competition tomorrow, while Dakin will also compete in the keirin on Saturday (January 19).

Other events on the programme for the World Cup, which will finish on Sunday (January 20), include the team pursuit, individual sprint, omnium and scratch.

Around 500 athletes from across 40 nations are expected to take part, in what is a key qualifying event for both the 2019 World Championships in Poland and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The last World Cup event took place at London's Lee Valley Velopark from December 14 to 16.