Young Otago cyclist James Williamson is looking to add the Tour of Wellington under-23 title to a burgeoning list of prestigious age group wins.

The 19-year-old Otago University physical education student is just starting his second year competing in this classification and already he holds the national club, elite national and Tour of Southland under-23 titles.

"I am here to ride for the Subway-Avanti team but definitely the under-23 title is a target this week," Williamson, of Alexandra, told NZPA.

In yesterday's opening 8.8km team time-trial, Australian Jack Anderson took control of the leader's yellow jersey after leading his Budget Forklifts team across the line in nine minutes, 38 seconds at Lower Hutt's Avalon circuit.

A tick away in second was Williamson's Subway at 1sec with the Trust House team third at 10sec.

Williamson said he felt ready to go this week despite having hurt both knees in a crash during the recent Hawke's Bay tour.

"I was really happy after the nationals but banged up my knees in Hawke's Bay. But they seem to be coming right and I feel in good form." Williamson has been racing for six years and joined Subway three years ago as a foundation member along with Joe Cooper of Wellington and world omnium champion Hayden Godfrey, absent this week because of international commitments.

Williamson said he was a confirmed "roadie" with no ambitions to emulate 2008 Olympic Games track medallist Hayden Roulston, who switches effortlessly between road and track.

Roulston has since gone back to the road, signing with the newly-formed Cervelo team based in Switzerland.

"I've got pretty big ambitions as a roadie, I only do track for a bit of fun," Williamson said.

"I would rather stick with the road and work my way up. Possibly in two years, I will head for the United States or Europe but the Subway team is the focus for now to build up experience," added Williamson, whose siblings, Patrick and Sophie, are turning heads in age group racing.

"Patrick is 17 and in the Subway development team. He's already won the national junior time-trial title. Sophie is 15 and she's won pretty much everything for girls in road and mountainbike." Williamson said he was disappointed to learn that BikeNZ had switched its emphasis to the track.

"I can understand the reasons why they have done it but if you don't put any money into road riders, then nothing is going to change." There is a solution, though.

"I think they can perhaps think about working in collaboration with the Subway team." Subway recently gained registration as New Zealand's first International Cycling Union continental team, one step below Pro-Tour status.

"BikeNZ could work with Subway and use this opportunity to give New Zealand riders overseas exposure and experience," he said.

Today's second stage will see the 100-strong field race 133km from Featherson to Masterton.