EFFORTS BY Matt Brammeier and his agent Andrew McQuaid to overturn Cycling Ireland’s original selection for the Olympic Games appeared to have reached an end yesterday with the news that the Olympic Council of Ireland have rejected an appeal from the multiple Irish champion.

Last month Cycling Ireland’s selection panel picked Daniel Martin (Garmin Sharp) and Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale), both competing in the Tour de France, for the three-man team, along with David McCann (RTS Racing Team).

Omega Pharma Quick Step pro Brammeier was one of those who were unsuccessful under CI’s original criteria, which allocated points based on a combination of race results and selector assessment. Given he is racing at the WorldTour level unlike McCann, who is with a much smaller team and competing on the less difficult Asian circuit, Brammeier argued he should have been given the nod. He appealed the result on June 7th but, while CI’s appeal committee decided his objection had sufficient merit for the selections to be weighed up again, the governing body’s selectors ruled the original decision was the correct one.

Brammeier wasn’t happy and lodged an appeal to the OCI. It has now giving its ruling. “The OCI’s Appeal Tribunal met Mr Brammeier’s legal representatives on Saturday last, July 7th in Howth and heard the lengthy appeal submission,” the OCI said in a release yesterday. “The OCI Appeal Tribunal was chaired by Susan Ahern (executive member) along with William O’Brien (first vice-president) and Dermot Sherlock (hon secretary general) plus legal counsel.

“Based on the findings of the Tribunal the appeal was not upheld.”

The last chance for Brammeier to fight the decision is to take a case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The rider has not yet indicated if he will do so.