Cycling: Banned cyclist blasts officials in email

Suspended Hastings cyclist Matthew Yates has launched a stinging verbal attack on Cycling NZ administrators and disciplinary tribunal members, and has threatened never to race for New Zealand again.

Yates, 21, and his younger brother Jeremy, the former world junior road champion, were this week banned from selection for all national teams and squads for 18 months.

The punishment, for what Cycling NZ has termed "persistent immature behaviour," rules the pair out of Commonwealth Games selection.

The suspension also denies them access to sports science and medicine, but may be reduced if the brothers attend an anger-management course.

Matthew Yates, based in Belgium, has reacted angrily to the suspension in an email message to Cycling NZ general manager Mark Harris, sport development officer Geoff Campbell, and three members of the independent tribunal which heard their case: Wellington barrister Phillip McCabe, NZ Equestrian Federation chief executive Larry Graham and Cycling NZ life member Barbara Howe.

"I never ever want to hear from you again," Yates wrote.

"Never email me again. Don't call me again. If you see me in New Zealand, don't ever talk to me again.

"You've all done a good job screwing me and Jeremy. I trained hard for this for many years, just to see it disappear because I didn't have a lawyer [at the hearing].

"You know it; I know it.

"I have no desire at all to wear another New Zealand jersey."

The email followed a message in which Matthew said he and Jeremy have "had enough of being f***** around" by Cycling NZ.

"I've been fighting these people for four years now. It's just not worth it any more."

Yates was also astounded that he and his brother had been asked to attend anger-management courses.

"How f***** is that. Anger-management is for guys who beat up their wives ...

"Me and Jeremy don't even know how to fight. Hell ... we can't even beat each other up. Ask anyone."

Matthew also claimed Cycling NZ was devaluing road cycling, pouring more money into the track side of the sport.

Jeremy, 19, had a more muted reaction to his suspension, describing it as "inappropriate."

He denied he was a "hothead," saying aggression was part of the make-up of most professional cyclists when competing.

- NZPA