Canberra star Chloe Hosking has fired a broadside at Cycling Australia for failing to pick a full women's team for the world championships, declaring she's taking a stand for the future of female cyclists.
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Hosking, Australia's top-ranked rider, was overlooked for the Australian squad to compete in Bergen, Norway, next week.
Cycling Australia selected just five female riders, instead of a full team of seven, while opting to send a full team of nine male riders.
They have been widely criticised for choosing not to fill all the spots available in the women's team and Hosking is appealing the decision to leave her out.
The winner of last year's La Course by the Tour de France slammed officials for their lack of support for female athletes.
"Am I insulted that I'm not considered 'high enough' quality to make the team? Absolutely," Hosking said.
"But this is bigger than my personal ego. This isn't a precedent we want set going forward and to say nothing would be to make it seem like we think it's okay.
"What message does this send to young girls coming through the sport? I certainly don't think it sends the message that [Cycling Australia high performance director] Simon Jones thinks it does.
"I'm disappointed that the women selected have been advised not to say anything. As the elite of Australian women's cycling it is their voices we need to speak up, but since they can't, or won't, I will."
Cycling Australia declined to comment on an ongoing appeal process on Wednesday night after Hosking sent through her selection appeal before the Thursday morning deadline.
Fellow Canberran Gracie Elvin, who was picked, raised her concerns on social media as to why Cycling Australia hadn't picked a full team, saying there were "deserving riders" who had been omitted.
Hosking finished seventh at the world championships last year and is ranked No. 8 in the world - Katrin Garfoot, who was picked, is the next best ranked Aussie at No.20.
The 26-year-old is passionate about equality for female athletes, labelling UCI president Pat McQuaid "a dick" five years ago after he said female professional cyclists did not deserve a minimum salary.
"Australian sport has made huge steps forward in supporting, encouraging and growing women's sport in the past three years," Hosking said.
"Look at the women's AFL and the recent sold out stadium that the Matildas played to. Cycling Australia not choosing to send a full team is not in line with the [Australian] Sports Commission's own stated goals.
"I hate to poke the feminism bear, but it's been poked."
Tour de France green jersey winner Michael Matthews will lead the men's team, and after picking the team Jones said: "These selections are all made with performance perspectives in mind. We have good chances in both the elite men's and women races.
"The men's team is focused on providing Michael Matthews 100 per cent commitment in the road race and we believe we have prioritised selections to ensure the best possible outcome on race day.
"Also in the time trial, I'm looking forward to seeing how Rohan and Katrin performs, as they are both strong contenders who are no doubt hungry for success.
"In the women's selections, the selected riders have proved themselves throughout 2017 and we are confident they will be in the mix to get near the podium."
Hosking admitted the chances were slim of overturning the selection decision and winning her appeal.
But she said the issue was far greater than personal ambition and she was not willing to stay silent on the issue.
"I feel like I have been made an example of to, in Simon's own words, 'raise the standard' of womens cycling in Australia," Hosking said.
"Do I agree with it? No. Do I respect it? No. Do I need to live with it? Yes."
