Newsgroup: it.sport.ciclismo
Titolo: Il diario di Rochelle

SHOCKED & CONFUSED
Germany, September 13, 2005
My mind and emotions have been fluctuating up and down over the past few 
days. The first shock came on Thursday night when I received the news 
that I had been left out of the National team for the 2005 Road World 
Championships in Madrid.
Madrid has been my number one goal throughout the season.
Consistent top 10 finishes during the recent Holland Ladies Tour 
indicated that I had fully recovered from my illness back in August. 
After 10 days of progressive altitude training in Livigno, Italy, I felt 
that my preparation for the Worlds was on track. Recent racing had 
boosted my confidence and results clearly showed that I had reached a 
level of fitness competitive with the other elite women.
2005 has been my most successful year not only in terms of results, 
which include three World Cup podiums and sixth on the overall World Cup 
rankings. This year's stable living environment and structured training 
programmes have contributed enormously. With these thoughts in mind you 
can imagine my disappointment in not being considered in an Australian 
team of six. I am currently the second highest ranked Australian rider, 
yet I haven't been included in our team of six, some of whom are ranked 
100 places below me. It doesn't seem very fair.
Two days after the selection announcement I headed to Germany for the 
final round of the World Cup Series. I stayed close to the front of the 
bunch during the race, even though the attacks were continuous I was 
never feeling threatened by the pace. I felt relaxed throughout the 
final kilometers and jostled for third wheel amongst the Nurnberg train 
that were supporting their lead rider Oenone Wood. I crossed the line 
second, just centimetres behind Giorgia Bronzini.
The Nurnberg result has come just two weeks before the World 
Championships while competing against the fittest and fastest women in 
the World. The Nurnberg World Cup also offered double points, which 
would have given extra incentive for everyone to fight for results. 
Amazingly, I have since discovered that the Australian selectors don't 
consider this result to be relevant in relation to the World 
Championship team selection!
One of my motivations in sport has always been to represent Australia. I 
have never in the past disputed any selection decisions made by Cycling 
Australia. I have been disappointed; for example, being excluded from 
the 2005 Worlds Track team knowing that I had the ability to win after 
previously finishing second twice at the World Track Championships. 
However, in this case another rider had achieved World Cup results 
during the final three-month selection period, and based on results 
deserved the position.
The thought of officially appealing the decision is racing through my 
mind as the deadline for submission expires in a few days. Do I fight 
for my opportunity to represent Australia OR do I accept the decision 
from CA with confusion? I feel that I have shown through my years of 
involvement in the sport that I am a great ambassador for cycling. I 
have continually represented our country proudly and to the best of my 
ability.
Let's hope it turns out for the best,
Rochelle.
http://www.holidaykoala.com.au/athletehk/showPage1.asp?athleteID=1
-- 
www.modesta.biciticino.ch
Il sito dedicato alla giovane ciclista lituana Modesta Vzesniauskaite

 Championships in Madrid.
Snip-
Well, not such a shock, they shafted Rossner at the games and Luperini at
the worlds. We remember Ardnt famous finger to the German federation? Wonder
what kind of dirty politics is behind this one? The only sure thing is to
have a number of race wins under your belt or win world cup like Wood.
Luperini won the nationals and 2nd in the Giro and she still got axed from
the worlds, not that this is where is her talent lies but its still not
fair. I think Gilmore would certainly add spice to the worlds, obviously a
bad choice by the federation.
Bruce