Cundy unhappy after time-trial error
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Britain's Jody Cundy competes in the Men's Individual C4 Pursuit qualifying during the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Park in east London on September 1, 2012. AFP
Jody Cundy, the British track cyclist was not allowed a restart in the final of the men’s C4/5 1 km time trial. This left the 2008 champion from Beijing in a bad mood.Cundy was obviously looking for a double Britain’s gold medal tally at the Velodrome after compatriot and fellow swimmer-turned-cyclist Sarah Storey’s C5 3km individual pursuit win on Thursday. But the C4 rider, a lower leg amputee, suffered a problem at the start of the race and cycled off the track to start again, despite his coach’s insistence that it was not allowed.
Officials confirmed that his start was down to an error caused by the rider, rather than equipment failure, and classed him as DNF — did not finish — provoking an angry response from Cundy and boos from the partisan crowd.Cundy’s coach Chris Furber said he believed that the starting gate did not open properly during the countdown, calling it a “mishap” which can lead to a restart but officials turned down the protest.The cyclist, unbeaten over the distance in six years, could be heard shouting and swearing at British team officials as he was led off the track.
“I’ve wasted four years of my life to ride in front of 6,000 people. Do you know what it’s like to dedicate four years of your life… I can’t even express it,” said the angry cyclist.“I’ll never ever get this opportunity again, never, ever. What am I supposed to do now?” Cundy emerged later and told the crowd his reaction was a result of bitter disappointment.
“I would like to apologise for my language. Even over the noise you might have been able to hear it. Hopefully the youngsters had their hands over their ears,” he said, to loud applause.
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