Hamish Bond has missed out on the chance to represent New Zealand at the upcoming track world championships in Poland - and admits he is not happy about it.
The former Olympic rower set a national record in the individual pursuit last weekend at the national championships in Cambridge, where he eventually beat 2017 world champion Jordan Kerby in the final.
However, his record time of 4min 12.436sec fell out of Cycling NZ's selection window of January 29, which meant it was not able to be considered for the upcoming world championships.
Cycling NZ decided against selecting anyone for the individual pursuit as it gives a priority to Olympic Games events, reports Stuff.
Bond said he was "irked'' by Cycling NZ's decision.
"I guess the point that irked me is I think I'm now the second fastest pursuit rider this season and I'm not allowed at the world championships,'' Bond told Stuff.
"No effort was made to get me there. Why have the world champs if you can't get the best people along to compete?
"The opportunity to win a prestigious (rainbow) jersey like Bradley Wiggins and some of the greats ... an athlete's life is finite and I guess mine is more finite than some so you don't pass up those opportunities lightly, and that was the crux of my disappointment.''
Bond said he understood why Cycling NZ would prioritise Olympic events, given its limited resources, which is why he says he offered to pay his own way to the world champs.
Cycling NZ's high performance director, Martin Barras, told Stuff Bond will still be in contention of a spot for next year's Olympics.
