The fastest sister act in Australian sport is the best local chance for a gold medal at the start of the Commonwealth Games cycling program.

Kerrie and Anna Meares will go up against England's world sprint champion Vicki Pendleton in the 500m time trial tonight at the velodrome.

Kerrie is the defending Commonwealth champion, while Anna, a former AYOF athlete, is the world record holder and Olympic champion.

They have overcome serious back injuries on the way to Melbourne, with Kerrie missing the Athens Games and Anna having to modify her training over the last few months.

It will be the first time their parents Anthony and Marilyn have seen their daughters compete at a major event and their trip from the mining town of Middlemount in central Queensland has given the sisters huge inspiration.

While the Meares could well win gold and silver, Ben Kersten will face a world-class battle in the 1km time trial. The "kilo" will feature a field worthy of a world championships, with Olympic gold medallists Chris Hoy (Scotland) and Jason Queally (England) heading the field.

Hoy expects hundredths of seconds will decide the event and his team-mate Craig MacLean is also a strong medal chance. Kersten is yet to win a medal in the time trial at the Commonwealth Games or world championships.

Mark Jamieson and Peter Dawson will be the first Australian cyclists competing tonight, riding in the 4000m individual pursuit.

But the English pair of Rob Hayles and Paul Manning are the big favourites for that event. Australia will again be the team to beat in cycling, but it is unlikely to reproduce its 10 gold medals at the 2002 Manchester Games.