Cycling New Zealand has named an 18-strong team to contest the UCI track world championships in London next month, but there is no room for Olympic medallist Hayden Roulston.
The selectors have picked on form for the world championships which begin at the London Olympic velodrome in just over two weeks.
They have also taken the opportunity to blood some younger riders, but have left the selection door open before the Rio Olympics.
"Our ultimate goal is to have the fastest riders selected to compete in Rio in August,'' Cycling New Zealand high performance director Mark Elliott said.
"It is the same philosophy for these world championships. We have selected on form for the world championships.
"That said, while we will be expecting to perform strongly in London, it also presents a gilt-edged opportunity to test our systems, tactics and ideas and trial new riders against the best in the world.
"We can't do this in Rio, so London is also a testing ground at the highest level, as well.''
The tightest selection has been for the men's endurance squad in which the world champion quartet of Piet Bulling, Alex Frame, Dylan Kennett and Marc Ryan has earned selection, along with 2009 world omnium champion Aaron Gate.
Two young riders have been selected for the first time.
Southland's Nick Kergozou has been selected as an option for the omnium while former junior world Madison champion Luke Mudgway has impressed throughout the season.
The experience of a team pursuit world championship campaign will be invaluable for their futures.
Missing out are Hawkes Bay's Regan Gough, on health grounds, and double 2008 Olympic medallist Roulston.
"Hayden has trained well and is producing the numbers and the door is far from closed. He has made big gains over this training phase, but with the quality of the rest of the team we could not make a selection call with Hayden for this event.
"However, the next phase through to Rio will create the opportunities for Hayden to build on the gains he has made through early 2016,'' Elliott said.
"We expect Regan to be back to full health and a real contender for Rio after being a key part of our world championship-winning squad last year.''
Southland's Matt Archibald, the world championship kilo medallist last year, has won the back-up role to the team sprint behind Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins after a close battle with Simon van Velthooven at the championships.
Waikato's Racquel Sheath earned her place back in the team after winning both bunch races titles at the nationals.
Sheath will join the women's team pursuit with the experienced Lauren Ellis earning the nod to compete in the omnium.
Junior world championship medallist Olivia Podmore (Canterbury) has gained selection to join the in-form Natasha Hansen in the women's sprint.
New Zealand team
to contest track world championships
MEN
Endurance: Piet Bulling, Alex Frame, Aaron Gate, Dylan Kennett, Nic Kergozou, Luke Mudgway, Marc Ryan.
Sprint: Matt Archibald, Eddie Dawkins, Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster.
WOMEN
Endurance: Rushlee Buchanan, Lauren Ellis, Jaime Nielsen, Racquel Sheath, Georgia Williams.
Sprint: Natasha Hansen, Olivia Podmore.
