Tuesday 28 June 2016 11:54, UK
Olympic champion Dani King is considering appealing against British Cycling's decision to leave her out of the road race team for the Rio Games.
King, who won the track team pursuit gold at London 2012, is the second-highest ranked British woman on the UCI WorldTour behind world road champion Lizzie Armitstead.
Armitstead has been selected to lead the GB women's squad, with Emma Pooley and Nikki Harris occupying the other spots.
King, 25, said: "Initially I was told that I couldn't appeal because I was not on the programme, but now I have been told I can appeal, which I actually found out through social media. That's something that I am going to need to have a look at.
"I haven't really been given a fair explanation as to why I haven't been selected, to be completely honest. I was given nine criteria at the start of the year, which I've been working toward, and I'm absolutely gutted.
"I just almost feel like I might as well not have got on my bike this year to race, regarding the selection criteria, because I was never going to be selected.
"I would have gone purely as a domestique for Lizzie - I made that very clear. I think I could have been a really good help for Lizzie and I think it is going to be harder for Lizzie. It weakens her chances; I think I could have done a good job for her."
King, who recovered from serious injuries suffered in a training crash in 2014, was the second-highest placed Brit in this month's five-stage Aviva Women's Tour of Britain.
She finished 11th behind winner Armitstead, but ahead of both Harris (14th) and Pooley (45th).
The Women's Road Race will be staged on August 7, day three of the Rio Olympics, over a 130.3km course which takes in such picturesque backdrops as Copacabana Beach.
