Ferguson gets call for Rio bid

Great Britain will have a rider in the Olympic mountain bike race as Scotland’s Grant Ferguson was selected yesterday.

the Olympic team was named on June 24, with no mountain bike rider named by the British Olympic association.

But Ferguson, who has a best finish of 15th in the cross-country World Championships, has earned his place in rio as the 27th member of the cycling squad.

Ferguson said: ‘i’m thrilled to have been selected to represent Great Britain at the rio Olympic Games thanks to the support of British Cycling.

‘i was fortunate enough to be on the BOa’s Olympic ambition Programme in 2012 and i thoroughly enjoyed the experience, so to be able to actually compete this time is really exciting and i can’t wait to get out there.’

British Cycling and the BOa also clarified the appeals process over non-selection.

a joint statement read: ‘riders eligible to appeal were able to take advantage of a 48-hour appeals window in line with the process available to programme riders.

‘two appeals were received and considered but were unsuccessful.’