Brammeier appeals Olympic axe

The official announcement of the three-man Irish Olympic cycling team, which was due yesterday, has been delayed until next Friday after one of the short-listed riders who was not picked lodged an appeal to Cycling Ireland.

Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale), Dan Martin (Garmin Barracuda) and David McCann (RTS Racing Team) make up the team, with Sam Bennett (An Post Grant Thornton Sean Kelly) the reserve rider, but Irish national time trial and road race champion Matt Brammeier (Omega Pharma Quick Step) has launched an appeal at his exclusion, feeling that he deserves a slot.

Several riders had met the initial criteria stipulated by the governing body for consideration for the Games, including the aforementioned quintet as well as Philip Deignan (UnitedHealthcare) and Adam Armstrong (Eurocycles). But after that long list was trimmed back on Tuesday, Brammeier submitted a formal objection prior to the appeals deadline on Thursday night.