Big win for Dawkins

New Zealand sprinter Eddie Dawkins has given his Commonwealth Games campaign a significant boost with a major track prize at the United States' track cycling mecca of Trexlertown, Pennsylvania.

Dawkins became the first New Zealand to win the Keirin Cup, one of the biggest prizes of the year.

He cut through the middle of the pack from near the rear of the six-man final and held off a late charge from American champion and US Olympic Giddeon Massie.

Dawkins was thrilled with the effort.

"I definitely will not be the last New Zealander to win the Keirin Cup, Dawkin said.

"New Zealand is developing such big talent, and has a lot of depth to their programme. We were a small fish in a big pond when it came to sprinting, but now we're right up there competing with the big boys. It's just amazing to win this race."

Beijing Olympic medalist and two-time world BMX champion Willy Kanis of the Netherlands took out the women's final.

South Canterbury's Shane Archbold won the Miss-and-Out race before teaming with American Shane Kline to win the 50-lap Madison but in a busy night was just pipped for the Omnium title by another American Bobby Lea.

New Zealand's final team for the Commonwealth Games is to be named next week.