Robert Hunter is not going to ride for South Africa at the world championships in Canada next month.
South Africa’s only grand tour rider broke the news to South African team manager Tony Harding during a telephone call to South Africa early on Wednesday.
”He has only been able to get in some very minimal training since he broke his wrist in the Tour of Denmark last month, and he feels that he will not be able to do the South African jersey justice in Canada,” explained Harding.
”His wrist is still strapped up and, given his lack of training, he says that he will not be able to compete properly against hardened riders who have just come off a tough European season, and those who have focused virtually exclusively on national success at the world championships,” Harding went on.
It’s a typically brave decision by Hunter, but one which reflects very positively on his attitude towards representing South Africa.
The question of exactly who will replace Hunter is one for the two new national selectors, Harding and Andrew McLean, to discuss very seriously indeed, especially if they are to fulfil Harding’s clearly stated intention of ”not taking any passengers to Canada.” — Sapa