British Cycling has announced that it will not send an elite women’s or under-23 men’s squad to the upcoming UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Lievin, northern France, next week, citing a lack of riders meeting the selection criteria.
This decision means that prominent British riders such as Alderney Baker, Anna Kay, and Xan Crees, the recently crowned female British national champion, will not compete at the prestigious event. However, Great Britain will be represented in other categories, including an elite men’s team and under-23 and junior women’s teams. Additionally, two junior riders will represent the nation in the junior men’s category.
A British Cycling spokesperson explained the decision on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of a rigorous and independent selection process for all major events. “For all major event selections, we follow a rigorous and independent selection process in line with that specific event’s objectives. This ensures that we select riders who have the best chance of performing at world championship level or gaining valuable and positive development experience,” the spokesperson stated.
Despite the decision, the absence of an elite women’s team has sparked disappointment within the UK cycling community. Tony Orrell, team principal and manager of the Torelli pro cycling team, expressed his frustration in a LinkedIn post, calling the decision “a joke” and advocating for the selection of Baker, Crees, and Kay.
“How are these girls going to gain the experience and develop? What message does this send out to other young riders?” Orrell wrote, stressing the importance of providing opportunities for upcoming talent.
Anna Kay, one of the riders affected by the decision, spoke to Cycling Weekly about her initial disappointment, acknowledging the significance of the World Championships but respecting the selectors’ choice. “Worlds is one of the biggest races in the season. It’s a major championship and it’s always an honour to represent your country. But that was their decision so you have to respect the decision and then just try and move forward and try and get into a position next year where they have to take us,” she said.
Kay also noted the high level of competition within British women’s cyclo-cross, particularly highlighting the performances of herself, Crees, and Baker at the national level. “The level of cyclo-cross in GB is really high at the moment, especially in the women’s category. Xan, Alderney, they’ve all been really good on a national level this year. So yeah, I would have thought maybe a few of us would have gone, but that was the decision,” she added.
Xan Crees, reflecting on her exclusion from the World Championships, shared her thoughts on Instagram. “After my best season yet I would have loved for the chance to represent Great Britain at the World Championships, not just for myself, but for the team, everyone who’s supported me, all those volunteers who make cycling and cyclo-cross in the UK possible and for all those young athletes like me to show them what’s possible if you believe. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be this year and I just hope I can continue to inspire our young riders in my other events,” Crees wrote.
The UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships will take place from January 31 to February 2 in Lievin. Great Britain will be represented by Cameron Mason and Thomas Mein in the elite men’s race, Zoe Bäckstedt, Cat Ferguson, Ella Maclean-Howell, and Imogen Wolff in the under-23 women’s race, Oscar Amey and Milo Willis in the junior men’s race, and Arabella Blackburn, Ellie Mitchinson, and Zoe Roche in the junior women’s event.
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