Van Velthooven excited for Olympics

The New Zealand track cycling team are slowly starting to apply the finishing touches on their Olympic preparations.

The full team assembled in Bordeaux for the final stages of their build up, before heading into the Games Village in London next Wednesday.

Sprinter Simon van Velthooven says they've moved from a concrete velodrome to the indoor track and are seeing the benefits.

"On the concrete track, you put a lot more power for the distance you go. So we've come on here, we've put out the same amount of power and hopefully go a little bit quicker and that'll transfer to the track in London."

Van Velthooven says it's hard not to think about what it'll be like to be among all the athletes.

"It'll be funny to see LeBron James, and the US basketball team there and Usain Bolt walking around. But I mean I'm sure if we weren't racing and we saw them in the public we'll go up and meet them."

He says receiving their Olympic uniforms has made it finally sink in that they're heading to the Games.

Photo: Photosport