USA Worlds ITT team - Neben in, Armstrong out

by Sarah Connolly on Sep 16, 2011 12:37 PM EDT

I saw this on Twitter, via Lyne Podium Insight - Kristin Armstrong, who had been selected with Evelyn Stevens to contest the Individual Time Trial at the World Championships, has been replaced.

According to the news report Lyne linked to, Amber Neben contested USA Cycling's decision not to include her in the team. I can see why Armstrong is disappointed - she retired from cycling to have a baby, but came back this year to try to retain her Olympics ITT Gold in London next year - but equally, I can see Neben's point of view. This year, Neben has had some superb ITT results - most recently coming 2nd in the Chrono Champenois the day after finishing the tour Tour de l'Ardèche - and at the USA National Champs, Neben was only just second behind Stevens, while Armstrong was third.

Personally, I think Neben deserved the slot, based on her season's results - and while it must be devastating for Armstrong, especially hearing the news once she was actually in Copenhagen, it was a surprising decision to include her in the first place - but it is a sign of the depth of talent there is in USA women's cycling, that they have to choose between two former ITT World Champions.

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well stated Pigeons....

I too was quite surprised that Armstrong was selected ahead of Neben. USA Cycling seriously bungled this one. As much as I respect Armstrong….Neben was the correct decision this year.

by steph- on Sep 16, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

+1

by JustJoshinYa on Sep 16, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Man that sucks!

Armstrong is definitively, when on form, the best in the world, especially on a power course. I’m sure that she probably had her form dialed in too. I can see Neben’s point though, she was riding and getting results the whole time Armstrong was on hiatus.

Focus on easy first. If that's all you get, that ain't half bad - Caballo Blanco

by SpunOut on Sep 16, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

crappy situation

can’t blame either rider. they both kick ass and will likely do well there (ie either could come in third behind Emilia and Evie). wished it’d gotten settled a little earlier.

"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."

by ant1 on Sep 16, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions