Spain's top 'crosser misses worlds

Despite dominating the domestic cyclo-cross scene in a fashion rarely seen before from any rider, Aitor Hernández will not get to dispute the World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, in two weeks' time.

It's the same reason that has kept the Ermua-Orbea rider from competing internationally this season: he can't afford it. The RFEC, the Spanish Cycling Federation, decided earlier this week that they would not cover the riders' expenses, hence Hernández, Larrinaga, Murgoitio et al. have to dip into their own pockets to make their way over the Atlantic. The former Euskaltel roadie can't afford it, and Spain will thus be without its top representative in the first American worlds.

Hernández yesterday took his 19th triumph of a year that's seen him win the overall Superprestigio-crown, the Euskadi championships and the national championships.

Source: http://www.foroequipoeuskadi.es/inicio/

Photo: Iñaki Azanza