Kristin Armstrong Out, Amber Neben In For Cycling Worlds.

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Quick question:  What has two thumbs and will not be riding in the 2011 world cycling championships? Well, I guess most of us – but the correct answer in this case is 2006 world champion and 2008 Olympic champion Kristin Armstrong (for non-cyclists: no relation to THE Armstrong).  The ’08 Olympic cycling gold medalist in the time trial was selected to compete in the time trial event in next week’s worlds being held in Copenhagen, Denmark but after a successful protest lodged by teammate Amber Neben, Armstrong was replaced by Neben.

According to reports on ESPN and VeloNation, Armstrong arrived today in Denmark only to receive word that she was off the team and had to head home – three hours later.  At the US Championships earlier this year Armstrong was third in the time trial behind Evelyn Stevens, and Neben.  Neben has been world champion and over the years has traded victories at various international meets with the Armstrong.  Neben was the second place finisher at the trials, it certainly doesn’t seem unreasonable that she be on the time trial team and apparently the committee hearing her protest agreed.

Riders who finish in the top three at worlds will be guaranteed a spot on the 2012 Olympic team and any of the US women have a strong chance at winning medals at next week’s worlds.  For the 38-year-old Armstrong, however, she now faces a difficult and convoluted path to make it back to the Olympics.