Cycling: Judges reject plea for reinstatement

By CHRIS BARCLAY

An impassioned plea on behalf on Anthony Peden failed to persuade cycling judges to reinstate the New Zealander, who was disqualified from the men's sprint yesterday.

Peden was relegated to third in his sudden-death repechage attempt to make the quarter-finals of the blue riband event.

Two international judges appointed by the UCI, the sport's governing body, decided he had interfered with the ride of England's Andy Slater, who was declared the winner.

Only the winner progressed to today's quarter-finals and medal round.

New Zealand team management acknowledged that former Australian Peden had breached sprint protocol by cutting into the line of Slater, but argued that his actions did not have a bearing on the result.

The obstruction occurred about halfway through the three-lap race, before the traditional final-lap dash to the line.

Team manager Bryan Simmonds and sprint coach Willie Rastrick viewed a video of the incident and said the verdict was disappointing.

"You have to ask the question, did it affect the result of the race a lap-and-a-half out? The English rider had plenty of time to get out and around and chose not to," Rastrick said.

Head coach Max Vertongen said he was "blown away" by the decision.

"I just can't believe it. There is no consistency. We've seen worse here and it's ironic, dare I say, it's been to the benefit of a Brit."

The decision cannot be appealed against.

New Zealand's individual pursuit riders found the going too tough, with Hayden Roulston, Heath Blackgrove and Hayden Godfrey failing to make the semifinals.

- NZPA

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