National track coach Tim Carswell said yesterday that Roulston and Marc Ryan, the world No 8, would carry New Zealand hopes in the IP, which will be held this morning (NZ time).
Roulston smashed the national IP record held by Ryan by more than 4sec in Invercargill last month with a time of 4min 21.281sec in the heats, a time thought to be the fastest in the world so far this year.
Carswell said he was satisfied the riders were ready to perform in the event.
"We feel they are ready to go out and put some performances that will be capable of getting them in the top five of their respective events,'' Carswell said after a 2hr training session at the venue yesterday".
"We've been having a look at the other teams, getting a gauge at where they are at - I think we are fairly happy we are right there as well.
New Zealand is seeking to confirm Olympic spots in all the events it is contesting in Manchester.
Also this morning, former world champion Greg Henderson races the scratch race.
Tomorrow, the men's team pursuit will be in action, while Alison Shanks gets her chance to display her growing strength in the women's 3000m IP after setting a national record at last month's national championships.
To top the podium, Shanks, whose national IP record is 3min 36.405sec set last month, will have to overcome last year's silver medallist Rebecca Romero (fastest time this year of 3min 35.40sec), of Britain, and defending champion Sarah Hammer, of the United States.
Henderson will race the points race on Saturday and he will back up the following day in the madison with Roulston. Also on Sunday, Hayden Godfrey begins the five-event omnium, Henderson and Roulston team up for the madison and Catherine Cheatley competes in the women's points race.
On Monday, the final day, Cheatley will back up in the scratch race and Eddie Dawkins will race the kilo time trial.
While leading nations such as Britain and Australia had shown their hands in naming their six-strong men's teams pursuit squads, Carswell said the New Zealand six was still under consideration because of the numerous options available.
Besides Ryan and Roulston, riders such as Jason Allen, Westley Gough, Sam Bewley, Tim Gudsell and Jesse Sergent were vying for places in the teams pursuit.
With Carswell anticipating the freshly re-surfaced track at Manchester to be even faster than before, when it was already among the quickest in the world, it was going to be "really interesting to see tomorrow's time in the individual pursuit''.
"It's going to be a hugely competitive world meet because of the fact it is the final event where points are up for grabs to qualify for the Olympics.''
