Glenn Kinning is incensed at not being picked to go to the World Cyclocross Championships the weekend after next (Photo: Toby Watson)
By Brian Canty
Glenn Kinning has strongly criticised qualifying criteria for the World Cyclocross Championships as a “complete joke” after he was overlooked for the event the weekend after next.
The Belfast man had set the race as his last big target of the season and had funded trips to Belgium to race in preparation at what he hoped would be an appearance in the green of Ireland at the Worlds.
He said the federation left a message at the Kinning Cycles bike shop that he owns informing him he had not been selected.
The federation has selected two riders to travel to Belgium; national junior champion David Conroy (Scott-Eurocycles.com) and U23 champion David Montgomery (An Post-Chainreaction).
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“I had all the paperwork done, everything was done, I had accommodation sorted and I was possibly going to be doing a key tune-up race in France before it,” a disappointed Kinning told stickybottle.
“We were invited to that race in France but we couldn’t commit so I had to say no because I didn’t know if there’d be a point.
“Basically what I needed was Cycling Ireland behind me and they’re not and I have absolutely no idea why.
“I sent emails the last few months and I got two replies from maybe 10.
“You’d rather get a 'no' than nothing because at least you’d know where you stood.”
He said Cycling Ireland had behaved in a “clueless” manner when dealing with him.
“When I went to Koksijde in November they didn’t want to me to ride it, but it’s not like we need a manager or I’m costing them money?
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“I have no idea what they’re thinking, no idea. We are not even looking for money, we just need their approval.
“I went to Belgium (in November) and came back, it was hard with travel and sickness but then I focused on the events ahead, like the World Championships.
“So it’s a real kick in the teeth not to be going and for me, this is probably it (in terms of racing at this level).
“I would have appreciated an email; I don’t know.
“They set out criteria, it’s under the MTB selection stuff on the website but it’s a completely unrealistic criteria. It’s a complete joke.
“I won nearly every race I did bar two; I had a bad day at the national champs where I lost a minute and half on the first lap.
“Then I got two punctures and I ended up only losing to David (Montgomery) by a minute,” he said in reference to the title race won by Wheelworx-Asea’s Roger Aiken and in which Kinning claimed the bronze.
“That’s it’s that’s it for me. I’ll do some Belgium races; I won’t depend on Cycling Ireland because they just twiddle their thumbs it seems.”
In response Cycling Ireland gave a statement to stickybottle in which it noted that a two-man team was being sent to the Worlds for the men’s junior and U23 races.
“No elite riders were selected on this occasion,” it said.
“However, riders such as Glenn Kinning were considered given his participation at some of the World Cups this year.
“We believe that Conroy and Montgomery have performed strongly this year and deserve the opportunity to continue their development by gaining experience at the World Championships.
“Cycling Ireland is pleased to see the growing participation in cyclocross in recent years and will look to increase its support to cyclocross in the coming years.”
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