Cycling: Miller on the outer

By CHRIS RATTUE

The national cycling selectors' doubts over the ability of Graeme Miller to contribute to the road race team appear to be behind his expected omission from the Olympic squad.

The 39-year-old is expected to miss out on the Olympic cycling squad to be unveiled tomorrow, despite impressive performances in Australia, Japan and the US.

The triple Olympian's coach, Paul Leitch, said he would be "gobsmacked" if Miller missed out on what will be a three or four-man road team. Julian Dean and Chris Jenner deserved to be guaranteed spots, but Miller and Glen Mitchell were clearly the next best.

National selector Graham Sycamore said: "The criteria of a year ago said something like the aim was to get a rider into the top 30.

"It is not just about using straight results in forming a team. A lot has to do with what help riders can give other team members."