Adelaide to host major pre-Olympics track cycling event

Adelaide will host round one of the Track Nations Cup next February, only a few days after road cycling's Tour Down Under is also staged in and around the city.

Filippo Ganna of Team Italy lifts his bicycle up as he celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's Team Pursuit Gold Medal final during the Track Cycling events of the Tokyo 2020. Image AAP

The Australian track cycling team have been handed a significant boost to their Paris Olympics preparations, with Adelaide to host a major pre-Games event next February.

The Adelaide Super-Drome will host round one of the Track Nations Cup from February 2-4.

It will be one of the last qualification events for track cycling at the Olympics, meaning the Australians will host a strong international field.

Australia used to regularly host major track events such as World Cups, plus Melbourne hosted the world championships in 2004 and '12.

Brisbane hosted a World Cup round in December 2019 and Adelaide should boast a stronger field, given the lead-up to Paris.

Another factor is Adelaide will also host the annual men's and women's Tour Down Under road races from January 12-21.

It could tempt endurance stars such as Italian Filippo Ganna, who is an Olympic gold medallist on the track and a multiple word time trial champion on the road, to have an extended Adelaide visit.

The Track Nations Cup will give the Australians another marker on their progress as they continue rebuilding from the wreckage of their disastrous Tokyo Olympics campaign.

Alex Porter leaves the track during a disappointing Australian campaign at the Tokyo Olympics.

Alex Porter face planted on the track when his handlebar snapped in team pursuit qualifying and Australia only managed one bronze medal at the Games velodrome - their worst track cycling return at an Olympics since 1980.

The track program has undergone significant change and Australia will be among the gold medal contenders at the Olympics in the men's team sprint.

Sprinters Matthew Richardson and Matthew Glaetzer, plus endurance rider Alexandra Manly will be among the Australians competing in the six Olympic events at the Super-Drome.

"The Super-Drome is no stranger to hosting elite level competitions, having staged many national and international events," said AusCycling chief executive Marne Fechner.

"This home ground advantage and familiarity will hopefully give our Australian riders the boost of confidence they need in the final months before Paris 2024."