McIlroy baffled by silence
A second rider kept in the dark by Cycling New Zealand has blasted the organisation for lack of communication regarding world championships selection.
Commonwealth Games representative Kate McIlroy said she sent multiple messages to Cycling NZ as she sought more information on the selection criteria and because she wanted to express her interest for the women’s road race, in Austria this month.
However, the 37-year-old said the only communication she received from Cycling NZ since the Commonwealth Games was when she was notified that she had missed the cut for selection two weeks ago. Although the selection criteria were listed on their website, McIlroy was baffled they did not respond to her inquiries.
‘‘I work full-time but if there was a possibility that they wanted me in the team then I would’ve organised work, got myself overseas and done what I needed to do,’’ said McIlroy, who previously competed at the Commonwealth Games in athletics (2006) and triathlon (2014).
‘‘But the fact was there was nothing and I find that very disrespectful. The least they could do is say they’re not considering me for X, Y and Z. A phone call goes a long way. I just find it pretty gobsmacking, to be honest.
‘‘Last week I sent them another email and said I wanted to appeal the decision. I sent them a big email but I’ve heard nothing back, again. It went to five people at Cycling NZ.’’
Her comments echo those of Sharlotte Lucas, who said she was ‘‘appalled’’ by the lack of communication after her requests for more information regarding the selection criteria also went unanswered.
McIlroy and Lucas both ride for Team Specialized, a cycling team based in Australia and together they competed at the Santos Women’s Tour, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Herald Sun Tour and Commonwealth Games this year.
McIlroy finished eighth in the Women’s Tour and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, while Lucas finished fourth in the road race at the Commonwealth Games, narrowly missing a medal. Lucas is also the Oceania champion.
However, participation in those races does not satisfy Cycling NZ’s selection criteria, which states that riders must either complete an international participation period of at least three months in a team training and racing programme approved by the organisation prior to competition or have a preparation plan approved by a selection panel before July 20.
When asked why Cycling NZ had not responded to their messages, assistant high performance director Jacques Landry said the selection criteria were ‘‘clearly spelled out’’ on their website.
‘‘The responsibility to communicate plans lay with the riders,’’ Landry said.
‘‘No information or correspondence was received from either Kate or Sharlotte about any such plans to race at a high level for a UCI professional team in Europe this year.
‘‘We are not willing to continue this debate via the media as middle person purportedly submitting questions based on statements from riders that have not been lodged with us.’’
Lucas ended up appealing against her exclusion, but Cycling NZ decided to add her to the team before her appeal was heard.
She has since withdrawn after learning that she would have to contribute ‘‘thousands of dollars’’ to participate and because she did not feel supported.
While they did not disclose how much, Cycling NZ said all riders below the World Tour level were asked to contribute to the overall costs.
McIlroy said it was fair for some riders to pay their way to Austria, but she said it was unreasonable of Cycling NZ to expect riders to fork out that much at short notice, which is why she was frustrated by the lack of communication. ‘‘Their communication is terrible, putting it mildly.’’
‘‘I sent them a big email but I’ve heard nothing back, again.’’ Kate McIlroy, above, on Cycling NZ