Cycling: Ulmer denied shot at men

By JULIE ASH

Cycling officials stand by their decision not to allow Olympic cyclist Sarah Ulmer to compete in the men's teams pursuit in this week's national championships in Manukau.

The Waikato Centre asked if Cambridge-based Ulmer could race in the 4000m event but officials would not permit it, saying it was against the rules.

Bike NZ sports development officer Geoff Campbell said the question was asked a few weeks ago and was raised again yesterday.

"We said 'no' at the time because it is strictly a male-only event," he said. "For some reason it has come up again."

As there is no women's teams pursuit - only an individual pursuit - Ulmer wanted to use the event as a means of training for next week's World Cup event in Mexico.

The Waikato team were also keen to have her in their side.

Waikato manager Paul Smith said: "I suppose we asked because they [women] don't get the opportunity to have the teams pursuit and from a team manager's perspective it would have boosted our chances to have someone of Sarah's capabilities racing in the team."

Campbell said he appreciated the reasons behind the request.

"But we had to give a firm ruling and say 'no' because it is a men's-only event. We would be breaking our own rules.

"It could then be said why can't the men ride in the women's events? It just gets ridiculous."

Ulmer said she was not too worried by the refusal.

"It would have been great to have been able to race in it because it would have been quite specific training for me, which would have been ideal for a world cup event I have got coming up in Mexico," she said.

"But I appreciate that it is a guy's event and I am obviously not a guy.

"It is not too big a deal from my perspective.

"You can't make rules for one person and not for others."

Ulmer, who has been off the track for a month and competing on the road in Australia, made an outstanding start to the national championships by breaking her 3000m individual pursuit record on Tuesday night.

Despite cool and windy conditions, Ulmer rode 3m 38.939s in qualifying.

Her previous record was 3m 40.176s, set two years ago.

The championships finish on Saturday.

Career highlights

2002 Commonwealth Games, gold in individual pursuit.

2000 Olympics, fourth in individual pursuit, eighth in the points race.

1998 Commonwealth Games, gold in the individual pursuit, silver in the points race.

1996 Olympics, 7th in the individual pursuit.