KEY POINTS:
Injury that may require surgery has ended Sarah Ulmer's bid to contest the time-trial at next month's world road cycling championships in Stuttgart, Germany.
Despite the setback, her desire to have one more tilt at a major championship still burned brightly, a source said today.
Ulmer, who switched to road racing after winning the 2004 Olympic Games 3000m individual pursuit has been struggling with a long-term leg injury, which first struck at last year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Like an engine missing a piston, Ulmer cannot produce full power with her left leg when she wants to go hard.
Despite that, she has been training and racing. This year she won the sprint ace category in the Tour of New Zealand and finished second in the sixth and final stage, in a world class field.
As recently as last month, Ulmer was still searching for a cure and went to the Netherlands to consult a sports vascular specialist.
Ulmer has received feedback and recommendations from the specialist and was now considering her options.
"She is now in the midst of deciding, in consultation with her medical team whether or not to undergo surgery," a source said today.
"This world championships in Stuttgart next month are not an option as far as Sarah and the national selectors are concerned," the source said.
Ulmer and her medical team are scheduled to meet in the next two weeks to discuss her options.
Ulmer was also unlikely to go to next year's Beijing Olympics if her fitness was not up to the mark.
"She wouldn't be going half-hearted - (but) the desire (for another challenge at a major championship) is there."
Meanwhile, top men's rider, Greg Henderson was unlikely to feature in world championships road race in support of top New Zealand prospect, Julian Dean.
The road race course is a tough and hilly one, for which the big-boned rider from Otago was not suited.
Henderson races with the T-Mobile team from Germany.
Reigning national women's time-trial and road race champion, Alison Shanks, also from Otago, will not be considered for selection as her programme is focused on the 3000m individual pursuit at the Beijing Olympics.
The New Zealand selectors will meet in Invercargill on Tuesday to decide on the make-up of the world championships team, likely to total 12 including under-23 competitors.
- NZPA
