Cycling Australia cuts support for teams

Tuesday, 12 September 2017:

Long-time Australian cycling benefactor Gerry Ryan has guaranteed two of his teams will continue after the sport's governing body withdrew support.

Cycling Australia has confirmed it will no longer be involved in the Orica-Scott women's and Mitchelton-Scott men's under-23 teams.

It is another sign of changing times at CA, which is weathering plenty of criticism for a controversial selection call ahead of this month's world road championships.

Sprinter Chloe Hosking has launched an appeal, being heard this week, after selectors decided to only fill five of the seven available spots for the national women's team.

Ryan owns GreenEDGE Cycling, which runs three professional teams - the Orica-Scott men's elite program, the Orica-Scott women and the Mitchelton-Scott under-23 men.

As the fallout continues from Australian cycling's disastrous Rio campaign, CA has ended the joint agreement for the women's and under-23 teams.

Ryan lauded the women's team as one of this year's shining lights in GreenEDGE cycling, with their Dutch star Annamiek van Vleuten the world No.1.

He added that Mitchelton-Scott had shown plenty of potential in its debut season.

"The decision of others is out of our hands but we believe they deserve our support, and a lot more," Ryan said in a team statement.

CA said in a statement that the body had a long relationship with the Orica-Scott women's team and more recently with the under-23, providing coaching and leadership expertise.

"Gerry's ongoing support for Australian cycling and his passion and vision for the GreenEdge professional cycling team is legendary and recognised around the world," the statement continued.

"From next year, Cycling Australia will focus on individual athletes, domestic development of road cycling and our role in the Australian cycling team at world championships and Olympics.

"This is an amicable ending to a long and successful partnership and we look forward to working with GreenEdge in the future."






AAP