Two Christchurch cyclists have been named in the New Zealand track cycling team for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Olympic champion Ellesse Andrews and endurance rider Samantha Donnelly were among the 19 riders selected to compete at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

Andrews was named in the sprint squad, while Donnelly was selected in the women’s endurance team.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee said Glasgow had been a successful venue for New Zealand track cycling, with Kiwi riders winning 11 medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 8 medals at the UCI Track World Championships 3 years ago.

Andrews will compete in the women’s team sprint, women’s sprint, women’s time trial and women’s keirin.

She will head to Glasgow as one of New Zealand’s most successful track cyclists, after making history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games by winning gold in the individual sprint and keirin, before joining Shaane Fulton and Rebecca Petch to claim silver in the team sprint.

Andrews also won 3 gold medals at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, along with silver in the team pursuit after filling in for an injured rider.

Glasgow 2026 will be her 3rd Commonwealth Games.

Donnelly will compete in the women’s elimination race and women’s team pursuit, with the option to start in the women’s points race and women’s scratch race.

Born into a cycling family, Donnelly’s father was a 2 time Olympian who won gold in the team pursuit at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

Donnelly became New Zealand under 19 road champion in 2017 and won silver medals in the team pursuit at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in 2018 and 2019.

She was also a reserve for New Zealand at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The NZOC said Donnelly was part of the women’s team pursuit squad which won World Cup team pursuit finals in Hong Kong and Malaysia, and won bronze in the omnium at the UCI Track World Cup in Malaysia in April.

Glasgow 2026 will be Donnelly’s first Commonwealth Games.

Cycling New Zealand High Performance Manager Ryan Hollows said the Commonwealth Games remained an important part of the programme.

“We’re grateful Commonwealth Sport has kept the Games alive and it remains a key event for us as we look towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Summer Games,” Hollows said.

“We have a strong team of proven performers and emerging talent focussed on strong execution.

“Additionally, our track teams train alongside our Para-cyclists and it will be a special experience to compete with them in Glasgow,” he said.

New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Nicki Nicol congratulated the team.

“We have a proud history of success in cycling at the Commonwealth Games with an astounding 93 medals since the London 1934 British Empire Games,” Nicol said.

“We wish this group of athletes all the very best as they set their sights on Glasgow 2026 and know you’ll all wear the fern with pride and represent the country to the best of your ability,” Nicol said.

The team will complete its final preparations at a training camp in the UK before the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games starts on July 23.