2007 Open Road Championships

 

Members

 

Cycling NSW has decided against sending a road team to contest the National Elite, U23 and Elite Women in 2007.

 

A review was undertaken following the 2006 Championships which included reports and opinions from team managers and senior coaching staff as well as rider thoughts passed back through the Team Manager. The Committee in arriving at its decision, believes that Cycling NSW should only send a team which meets a pre determined selection criteria and is the best team, not a secondary or development team as it undermines the status of the State Team and that of the National championships.

 

When selecting the team for this years championships we were confronted with numerous issues, with riders opting out of the team to ride in trade and registered teams, others wanting to do their own thing, change flights around at the last minute resulting in extra costs. In short it became a nightmare for Team Management and a very costly exercise, particularly when, at the end of the day CNSW were not able to field their chosen and/or strongest team.

 

Our elite riders will not miss out as Cycling NSW is considering other options in conjunction with our pathway and development strategies which will see emerging talented riders selected in future development teams to compete in events within Australia and abroad. This is already occurring with riders recently being afforded the opportunity of participating in Track events in New Caledonia and a team which will shortly compete in the Tour of South China Seas.

 

Cycling is going through an evolving phase particularly following the recent trend towards teams and team racing. This is having a huge impact on cycling in this state as well as the administration of the sport. Decisions are being made by our Board taking into account the best interests of our sport and members and with the best of intentions, however we are mindful that some of these decisions and policies may need to be reviewed regularly in order to satisfy our membership and to keep abreast of ongoing changes.

 

Cycling NSW

13^th December 2006