Cycling: Eddie Dawkins replaced in men's sprint before World Cup

Eddie Dawkins has been replaced in the New Zealand men's sprint trio by 22-year-old Sam Dakin for next week's World Cup in Brisbane.

Dawkins has clearly struggled with an immense workload, as the third rider in the sprint team, and Cycling New Zealand high performance director Martin Barras said Dawkins needed a break to freshen up for February's world championships in Berlin.

Dakin will join Sam Webster and Ethan Mitchell, after impressing in last month's national trial, and Barras felt he would benefit from the experience of riding with the former world champions. 

Dawkins has just completed his Cambridge World Cup, finishing fifth in the second round of the keirin, meaning he missed out on the final.

The result follows last night's bronze medal in the team sprint, that left the team searching for answers, after once again failing to top the podium.