New Zealand riders selected for the World Championships have been asked to cover their own travel costs while some of Australia’s riders have also been asked to pay their way despite being selected to represent the host nation.
One of the Australian riders, Bronte Stewart, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the $4,000 she needs to take up her place on the national team for Wollongong. She has just exceeded that goal, with 52 donors contributing a combined $4,025.
“Hi everyone, I’m off to the world cycling championships next month in Wollongong,” she wrote. “Unfortunately for the junior athletes, we have been asked to pay a significant amount to get there. Any donations towards helping me get to worlds would be appreciated. I’d be so thankful for any support.”
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The New Zealand federation has asked all of its riders to pay their way to Australia for the Worlds, which get underway next weekend. The request to pay travel costs to Australia – coupled with the need for some trade teams to deploy their riders in events in Europe to gain points – means only James Fouche will ride the elite men’s race for New Zealand.
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Cycling New Zealand high performance director, Amy Taylor, said with the cost of living crisis and the expense involved with the Worlds being held in Australia was not ideal this year. Cycling Ireland, which is sending no riders to the Worlds – breaking more than 40 years of participation – has cited the same reason for not sending a team to Wollongong.
“In the end it has not been an ideal year to stage the world championships in Australia, with costs more than double our 2021 budget, and with some riders having to return to Europe and then come back to New Zealand for summer,” New Zealand’s Taylor said.
“We have a significant $50,000 budget for the event and will focus on delivering a world-class group of support staff which is what our riders have asked for. And we appreciate they have had to fund their travel component."
Kiwi rider George Bennett (UAE Team Emirates) said he could not go to the Worlds and then ask team mates to work for him when he knew they had paid their own way.
