South African cyclist Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio has explained why she won’t be competing in the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Moolman-Pasio announced her decision in a statement on the Rocacorba Cycling website, saying she had decided to focus on racing in Europe.
She was selected to compete in the road race and individual time-trial at the Games, which began in the city of Gold Coast in Queensland this week.
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, seen here during the Tour of Flanders, explained in a personal statement why she will not be competing at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. Photo: Velofocus
The Cervelo Bigla rider said in her statement she had discussed the issue with her team as well as Sascoc (SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee) for the past few months, and ultimately decided to focus on her goals in Europe.
“Sascoc and my team have both been very supportive and patient during the decision-making process,” said Moolman-Pasio, who is seventh on the UCI world rankings.
It was agreed that the road-race course at the Games would not suit her and that she would be up against strong opposition from countries such as the UK and Australia.
“We considered going to compete in the time-trial only but it’s a specialist discipline that needed more preparation time than we had available,” she explained.
Moolman-Pasio, who recently finished fourth in the Tour of Flanders in Belgium, said April was the most important racing time of the European season for her.
“Everyone at Cervelo Bigla, myself included, have been working towards specific goals during the Spring Classics and I would have had to abandon my team and my position as lead rider during those key races.
“Add in the toll of travel, jet lag, and the high personal expenses, and we all knew what the logical conclusion was.”
Moolman-Pasio, who had won her fourth 947 Cycle Challenge title in November, said she had never thought she would have to give up an opportunity to represent her country at the Commonwealth Games.
“It is such a privilege to qualify, even more so to be selected to represent your country at a world event. Thinking about the last Commonwealth Games, where I won a bronze medal, I get a rush of emotion.
“Undoubtedly, it was a breakthrough race in my career and getting up on that podium was big moment for me, my family, and everyone who helped get me to the start line. I felt so much pride as an athlete, as a South African, and as a woman.”
It took a long time to accept that the maths did not add up. She knew “a while ago” the best thing to do was to miss the Games, but it took a lot longer to make the final decision.
“In the end, it wasn’t about choosing one over the other; it was about choosing where I could be the most successful, where I could be the best athlete I could be, where I could represent my country in the best possible way.
“I know not everyone will understand but I hope everyone will respect the decision we have arrived at,” she said.
