CYCLING has been excluded from the 2009 NatWest Games in Aland.

A major crowd-puller on the final day since the inception of the Games in the Isle of Man in 1985, Aland have dropped what was one of the original six core sports.

A progress report from the organising committee has listed 14 sports for Aland: archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, football, golf, gymnastics, judo, sailing/windsurfing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

Allan Miller, cycling’s team manager in Aland in 1991, said: ‘It’s a great shame but it’s Aland’s decision.

I’m really surprised but the rules have changed now and it is up to each host island to choose their own range of sports.

‘Traditionally the criterium race has been the final event at every Games and it was a hugely popular because all the other sports’ competitors went to watch it on their way to the Games’ closing ceremony and evening party.

‘It will be missed I’m sure and I’m equally confident it will return very quickly.

Cycling is popular with the majority of the islands but in the Nordic islands it is not particularly strong.’ Jersey’s Commonwealth Games cyclist Sam Firby, a medal winner in Shetland last year, was shocked by the news: ‘It’s a great shame.

It’s a level below the Commonwealths and you can realistically look to compete for medals.

‘Jersey certainly has a strong history in Games cycling and I’m sure it will be missed.

I am shocked – it’s not as if they need to build facilities to host it.

Everybody has roads!’ Cycling is included in the next Island Games in Rhodes next year.