Cycling's Technical Director and coach Erin Hartwell is demanding that the Racing Committee of the TTCF clears his name amidst allegations he has been victimising rider, Quincy Alexander.
Only days after the Canadian-born coach, at a press conference at the National Cycling Centre in Balmain Couva, promised to defend himself against the accusations, comes word from a close source of the TTCF that Hartwell could be eyeing other options if the racing committee, which is chaired by Joseph Roberts does not defend the federation's policy on team selection for UCI World Cups, the World Championships and for national selection.
This policy states that riders bidding for a place on the world championship team must have participated at a World Cup. However, World Cup selections are based on the performances of the riders during training and national meets. The selection process requires the coach to make recommendations, and the racing committee to chose based on the information before it, or information it requires.
Alexander's claims were followed by reports that Hartwell has failed to deliver information regarding the times ridden by the athletes during training when they were requested. The times were expected to be used to afford members an opportunity to make more informed decisions during team selection.
Guardian Media Sports was reliably informed that a letter was sent to the racing committee stating that: "The allegations and accusations by Alexander and an “anonymous source” within the racing committee are inexcusable. The anonymous source is easy to ascertain based on our own email threads—we all know who it is. The racing committee has a responsibility to clarify these matters."
According to the source who spoke to GuardianMedia Sports on the condition anatomy, Hartwell believes his name and reputation have been tarnished by being accused of unfair treatment of an athlete, which he described as false.
Hartwell in his letter assured he has followed the policies and procedures of the TTCF in every recommendation made.
The letter also stated: "The TTCF criteria declared Quincy ineligible for the world championships—not me. This is easy to refute. Post the documents, send them to the Guardian and clarify these misstatements. Additionally, I’ve made it clear in writing that I’ve been communicating with Quincy on his weaknesses and what his targeted objectives are within the programme (weight loss, improved starts for a P3 position, focus on team sprint). Again, easy to refute. However, I’m accused of not providing support? Where’s the proof in these falsehoods?
It is understood that the decision by a committee member to abstain from voting on the selection of the team for the New Zealand and Hong Kong World Cups on December 29 due to lack of training times was also false, as the coach was not aware that a vote took place.
The selection of the team was done on November 30 last year and was confirmed by Roberts and Rowena Williams, another committee member.
According to the source, the letter also quoted Hartwell as saying - "I absolutely disagree with claims I do not use times when making recommendations. I always use the applicable training/racing times in addition to other qualitative and quantitative performance measurements to form my recommendation for the racing committee. You don’t see the entire process—you don’t ask to see the entire process. Once a decision is formed, I send you my concise recommendations."
The TTCF is expected to meet on the matter soon.