SA's Olympic cycling team.. POLEMICA

Good afternoon readers.  For those few folk who walk through my site (yes, all 3 of you), you are well aware that I publish infrequently.  An italian might say "ogni morto di papa", which literally means every time a pope dies.. which is generally not often..  

However my interest has been stirred TWICE today, firstly by my previous post, the new Tour uniforms, and now by an innocuous article on SuperSport about a South African's legal challenge to join the Olympic team.  The SA ladies, unlike the men who did not, managed to qualify 3 riders for the Olympic games in London in July.  And there's currently a cat-fight about which 3 will be taking part.  The SA selectors chose 3 well known names but had to leave one off.  The offended lady, Cherise Stander, reckons she should get the nod instead of either Joanna Van der Winkel or Robyn de Groot.  These 3 riders, as well as the fourth uncontested selection, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, are all riding together as we speak, at the Lady's Giro d'Italia. 

What sparked my interest, and why I write here, is that the SA ladies battle to take part in the Olympics may be a harder achievement than actually finishing the race leter in july!  And in any event, the ladies did not do a particularly sterling job in Beijing 4 years ago. 
The other thing that struck me while reading the various articles that have emerged shedding light on the court case and appeal, is that the rider in question is arguing technicalities, but nowhere is there a mention of which is the best cyclist for the job!  Cut-off periods for considering races that give rider points are the big concern, not who has the best ability for the Olympic course...
AS a side-note, of one thing I am certain - the results of the African Games held in Maputo last year should not be considered for selection process as the SA cyclists who took part walked away with the medals, as there was no serious competition.  This was the case with the men as well.  The only time they didn't sweep the podium was when they were only allowed 2 riders, as in the Individual Time Trials. 

So who should go and represent SA at the Olympics? Well, for sure Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, the rider that is uncontestably on the team as the best placed SA rider in the squad.  For the rest.. good luck with your lawyers.. Doesn't bode well for a co-hesive and relaxed atmosphere within the team though.