USA Cycling Does It Again... Again!

[DirtyWorks]

This story should sound familiar to anyone following American cycling.

Kristin Armstrong gets the early ITT pick over Amber Neben despite Neben's frequent superior performances this year. The rumor being Armstrong's coach was on the selection committee that steered the selection to Armstrong.

Neben appeals and at the very last minute, is put on the roster for the ITT.

For those not following, that's pretty typical for USAC. Similar favorable selections have happened before where there was no performance to warrant the selection. At least this time the situation was corrected.

Cyclingnews got the story right. The Velonews accounting of events plainly favors Armstrong's weak justification for being chosen for the ITT. Good job cyclingnews.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/neben-replaces-armstrong-in-worlds-time-trial

 

[Descender]

Armstrong. What a ridiculous name for a cyclist!

 

[Thomsena]

Armstrong. What a ridiculous name for a cyclist!

Yeah. You wouldn't win any races with a name like that.

 

[krebs303]

APNewsBreak: US gold medalist replaced at worlds
BOISE, Idaho—Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong was bumped from the U.S. time trial team at the world championships after USA Cycling reviewed Amber Neben​'s protest.

Armstrong told The Associated Press in an email on Friday that Neben challenged USA Cycling's decision earlier this month to enter Armstrong as one of two American riders in the time trial at worlds in Copenhagen, Denmark.

USA Cycling issued a statement Friday confirming its switch to Neben more than six hours after Armstrong disclosed the decision. It declined to give a reason for the change.

 

[jmax22]

The rumor being Armstrong's coach was on the selection committee that steered the selection to Armstrong.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/neben-replaces-armstrong-in-worlds-time-trial

...Not a rumor. Jim Miller is on Kristin's payroll as her personal coach. He's also the athletics director of USA Cycling who is in charge of writing the selection procedures, and selecting the team. Can't imagine another organization that would let those positions co-exist. It's laughable, really. Same thing happened in 2004 when Armstrong was picked to do the ITT at the Olympics, then Christine Thorburn filed a grievance and the decision was overturned. Who's in charge over there to let the exact same thing happen again?!

 

[ElChingon]

Armstrong. What a ridiculous name for a cyclist!

Would be cool for an arm wrestler though.

Legstrong, well you'd have something there, even Legspin.

USA Cycling, what can you really say they've done that's been good for cycling in the past 10 years other than have some major infighting to entertain.

 

[Nielsa]

...Not a rumor. Jim Miller is on Kristin's payroll as her personal coach. He's also the athletics director of USA Cycling who is in charge of writing the selection procedures, and selecting the team. Can't imagine another organization that would let those positions co-exist. It's laughable, really.

To be fair, there were similar murmurs regarding Renshaw's non-selection. And there's of course potential for conflicts of interest when you look at Brailsford with Sky & British Cycling.
Of course this doesn't justify this Armstrong situation or make it less wrong in any way.

 

[Mshengu]

Armstrong. What a ridiculous name for a cyclist!

Just bearing that name puts her in disrepute

 

[DirtyWorks]

It gets better... No, worse for Miller

...Not a rumor. Jim Miller is on Kristin's payroll as her personal coach. He's also the athletics director of USA Cycling who is in charge of writing the selection procedures, and selecting the team. Can't imagine another organization that would let those positions co-exist. It's laughable, really. Same thing happened in 2004 when Armstrong was picked to do the ITT at the Olympics, then Christine Thorburn filed a grievance and the decision was overturned. Who's in charge over there to let the exact same thing happen again?!

USAC gives new meaning to dirty. In their "Principles of Athlete Selection" document that the 2011 selection process was to be run, is this requirement.

"Must not be currently coaching U.S. Olympic Eligible Athletes. Note, in this case Olympic Eligible refers to athletes who are actively competing at an international level."

"Must agree to declare any conflicts of interest ... will recuse themselves from discussion and or voting if necessary"

That's just the highlights. http://www.usacycling.org/forms/selection/principles.pdf

Lots of wiggle room for Steve Johnson to declare the selection process sound despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Did they make Neben pay the $3000 + airfare for the last minute privilege of doing the ITT?

What's hurt the most are the athletes. Armstrong (Kristin) was the real thing and Neben is one of the best the U.S. has for the moment. It's a shame it's got to come down like this. It still boggles my mind the membership just forgives the nepotism and double-dealing.

 

[greenedge]

I doubt Neben will go so well though. Pooley and Ardnt are probably favourites.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I doubt Neben will go so well though. Pooley and Ardnt are probably favourites.

I agree. I don't think an American will be on that podium given the times at Nationals. But, at least the two best got to go.

 

[avanti]

The USCF picks for the world should be a long list several weeks before the competition (when appeals can be made) with a final selection 2-weeks or so prior to the event.

It is a shame for Kristin to be replaced after she had travelled to Europe. I've met Kristin and heard her discuss how she trains and prepares for a specific event.

I also blame the UCI for only allowing (for the Womens ITT) up zero to four competors per country (the US got two spots this year) so some of the worlds best do not compete.

 

[sublimit]

Armstrong. What a ridiculous name for a cyclist!

Wondergirl Kristin Armstrong. Tall, Blonde all American girl with a ponytail kicking Euro riders butts.

I think I'll prefer to watch paint dry than watch this event to be fair. The RR might be OK though.