Australia has medal contenders in all four events to be contested on day one of the 2007 Track Cycling World Championships being staged in Palma Majorca, Spain from March 28 to April 1.

Sydney's Ben Kersten will be the first of the 18 member Australian team in action at the Championships when he lines up in the inaugural Omnium.

The non-Olympic Omnium involves one rider competing in five events on the same day (Flying 200m, Scratch Race, Individual Pursuit, Points Race and Kilometre Time Trial) and Kersten goes in as probably the only rider to have raced the event in it's entirety.

"We're the only country to have run one so far and it's the first time at World Championships and Ben was outstanding in the event to win at the Australian Championships," said Australia Head Track Coach, Martin Barras.

"There is no doubt in my mind that he is a strong favourite for the Omnium."

Australia will also field starters in the teams sprint events with Shane Perkins, Mark French and Ryan Bayley lining up in the men's and Kristine Bayley and Anna Meares in the women's.

"We will be contenders in both," said Barras. "We have improved in the men's but so have other countries so we have to accept that whilst we will improve our times we might not improve our position however it's looking very promising for next year.

"The women have a very real chance of a medal."

The fourth event on the opening day is the men's 4km individual pursuit where Australian champion, Phil Thuaux will line up for Australia.

"We're really pleased with the progress Phil has made in training and I expect to see him competitive with the best riders in the competition," said Barras.

Barras is delighted Australia is fielding some new, young riders at the World Championships who he believes will benefit greatly from the event and from the example of their more experienced team-mates.

They include first year seniors Cameron Meyer, Scott Sunderland and Zakkari Dempster and World Championship debutants Phil Thuaux, Belinda Goss and Mitchell Docker.

"We are the Australian Cycling Team and that brings with it a status both at home and abroad," Barras said.

"There is an aura of confidence in this team and we have enough riders here who have been there (at the top level) and know how to do it and I'm sure they will instill that in the younger riders.

"I don't believe we're going to dominate the world, it's unlikely any one country will this year, but I am very comfortable with the depth of talent we have in the team," he explained.

"It's not reasonable to expect any or many of the younger riders to get on the podium but they have certainly performed well so far this year and they'll take us far in the future."

Cycling Australia