Former Olympic rower Hamish Bond has admitted he's vexed about Cycling New Zealand's decision to not select him for the upcoming track cycling world championships - even after he offered to pay his own way.
Bond showed he's in top form for the event in Poland after he sat a new national record in the individual pursuit at last weekend's national championships on his way to winning the final.
But because the 4 minute 12.436 seconds effort happened outside of Cycling NZ's selection window, which ended on January 29, it wasn't considered.
Even if his run was in the window it may not have mattered with Cycling NZ giving priority to Olympic Games events, meaning they didn't select anyone for the individual pursuit even though Bond believes he was in with a chance at a world title.
The 32-year-old told Stuff the decision "irked" him.
"I'm now the second fastest pursuit rider this season and I'm not allowed at the world championships," Bond said.
"No effort was made to get me there. Why have the world champs if you can't get the best people along to compete?
"An athlete's life is finite and I guess mine is more finite than some so you don't pass up those opportunities lightly, and that was the crux of my disappointment."
Bond even offered to pay his way to the world championships after Cycling NZ said there were finite resources available.
"It would have given me a chance to have some experience in that environment. Although I've obviously been to lots of big competitions there's lots of nuances about how different environments play out and how teams operate so I saw it as beneficial."
Bond remains on Cycling NZ's radar for next year's Olympics in Tokyo - a major goal of his since trading in his paddle for pedals.
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