CYCLING: Australia's track cyclists take a detour on the Road to Rio through Cali, Colombia, for the opening round of the 2015/16 UCI Track World Cup series.

Australia claimed 17 gold medals at the recent Oceania Track Championships and will head in to the Cali World Cup as one of the nations to watch. With qualifying points as well as medals on offer it will be an exciting three days of competition between 30 October and 1 November.

The Cali World Cup continues the 2015/16 track season and presents a further development opportunity for Sam Welsford and Alex Manly, who both claimed junior world titles and elite world cup gold last season.

Newly crowned Oceania Champion in the omnium Sam Welsford returns to Cali, for his third world cup in the last 12 months. "I think the year has gone pretty well for me coming out of the junior ranks.

"It has been a long year of racing but I have loved the challenge of stepping up to the senior ranks."

Welsford has spent much of 2015 on the track, winning two silver medals at the Australian National Championships in January and a top five omnium finish at ITS Adelaide. He was also part of the team that set an unofficial team pursuit world record of 3mins 50.360secs in July in Aguascalientes. Before being crowned Oceania Champion in the omnium and claiming two silver medals earlier in October.

"It has given me a little confidence boost," said Welsford on his Oceania omnium title. "A World Cup field is very tough, but I had some good times at Oceanias so that always helps.

"I'm super excited to be back at it in Colombia. Last time I was there in January, I was struggling with illness so will be good to give it another crack."

Alex Manly, a dual junior world champion in 2014 has taken a different approach ahead of her track season, racing on the road in Europe. "I am excited to be going to Cali and get the track season properly underway.

"I haven't raced on the boards since Track Nationals so my expectations are open, however hopefully we can pull off a good result like earlier this year in Cali," said Manly who was part of the women's team pursuit squad that claimed gold in Cali in January. Just the third time Australia had tasted success in the event at a World Cup.

"We have a similar team so we should be able to be in the mix for a good ride."

Manly is looking forward to returning to the track following her first season as a professional on the road in Europe. "I had an up and down season which is to be expected in my first year as a pro, but I came out of it with a wealth of experience."

Both Manly and Welsford head in to the season with big goals with Rio Olympic Games on the horizon. "Track Nationals is going to be a big target with Olympic selection so close," revealed Manly. "Putting in a good ride at the omnium in December and then again in the IP in January will help in putting my hand up for selection."

"I'm Obviously looking for more experience racing at the world level and to learn new things," added Welsford. "Hopefully grabbing some good results along the way."

Australian team for Cali World Cup

Sprint Men

• Nathan HART (ACT)
• Matthew GLAETZER (SA)
• Jacob SCHMID (VIC)

Sprint Women

• Anna MEARES (SA)
• Stephanie MORTON (SA)

Endurance Men

• Daniel FITTER (QLD)
• Jackson LAW (NSW)
• Alexander PORTER (SA)
• Callum SCOTSON (SA)
• Sam WELSFORD (WA)

Endurance Women

• Isabella KING (WA)
• Alex MANLY (SA)
• Danielle MCKINNIREY (SA)
• Lauren PERRY (TAS)
• Elissa WUNDERSITZ (WA)

Cycling Australia