Scandal hit the German team at the World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland, when it was discovered that one of the starters in the women's road race was not registered to ride. Sarah Düster left the team hotel in tears on Friday when she learned she would not be able to take part in what would have been her debut World Championship appearance.
The German cycling federation, the Bund Deutscher Radfahrer (BDR), acknowledged its failure to register Düster for the Championship road race. Her name did not appear on the starting list which it sent to the International Cycling Union (UCI), thereby excluding the 27-year-old from the event. The BDR could still have registered her after her arrival in Mendrisio, but did not do so.
It would have been the first World Championship appearance for Düster. She rides for Cervélo TestTeam and the German registered squad has called for a thorough explanation of the matter. Her place in the German team was taken by substitute Charlotte Becker.
Düster's German teammates expressed their own disappointment, after being told of the incident. “Sarah has been passed over by the federation for years,” said Ina Teutenberg. “”Now she should finally start – her world has fallen apart.”
Judith Arndt called it a “nightmare. A simple 'sorry' isn't enough.”
Düster was restrained in her reaction. On her website she noted that the BDR had made a mistake, which was not corrected in a timely fashion. “I am naturally very disappointed and need to take some time away.”
Burckhard Bremer, the BDR's sport director, offered his resignation over the matter. The BDR was not expected to accept it.
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