Cycling: Jenner leaves NZ in a spot

Chris Jenner's ambition to ride in the Tour de France cycle classic is destined to damage New Zealand's chances of competing in the road race at this year's world championships and the 2004 Olympics.

Jenner, New Zealand's top-ranked road racer, last year provided half the 400-point total that placed New Zealand near the top 30 nations on the world rankings.

The top 30 are assured places at the world championships, in Portugal this year, and the Olympics.

But Jenner's points will be lost now the Wellingtonian has pledged allegiance to France in a bid to secure a berth in the Tour de France.

Cycling NZ general manager Mark Harris said the implications of Jenner's decision were "dreadful."

"Our ranking is probably going to fall from 32 to 35 or 36 - it's a dreadful loss for us.

"To compete at the world champs you have to be in the top 30 nations. If we want to go to Athens in 2004 we have to be in the top 30 by 2003 - that won't be an easy task."

The importance of Jenner's contribution was further underlined this year with his win in the Tour of Wellington, plus his fifth placing in Australia's Tour Down Under and the Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia worth more than 100 points.

Jenner was instrumental in gaining New Zealand four places at the Sydney Olympics last year.

But in Sydney he indicated that those Games would probably be his only shot at a medal.

Jenner has lived in France for five years and has a French wife, Christele, and daughter, Anais. He has wanted to ride the Tour de France since the age of 14, and was robbed of the chance of competing last year because his Credit Agricole team decided to include lesser-ranked local riders.

Jenner took out a French licence at the start of the year to enhance his claims this year.

He said he would consider switching back to New Zealand after the Tour de France, and serve a three-year stand-down period in order to be eligible for Athens.

But Harris was doubtful about this scenario.

"He can flick from year to year but the New Zealand Olympic Committee would ask us what allegiance does he have and how can we let him swap from country to country?"

The onus was now on No 2-ranked road racer Julian Dean, fellow Olympians Scott Guyton and Glen Mitchell and the evergreen Graeme Miller to secure enough points.

- NZPA