Yeah Herndon was telling me about that yesterday. How USAC would send all the coaches, families, chefs, etc etc and then not pay for the actually ATHLETES to go. pretty lame.The funding excuse is always lame. If the quota is not full and the other Juniors are willing to travel with their parents, buy their own kit, make their own travel, accomodation arrangements..then it should be allowed. Not a right, but if they show potential especially in the case of younger first year juniors then they should be allowed.
If im not mistaken, last year in NZ. USA CYcling rented out a whole hotel, brought their own chefs, a doctor, masseuse, mechanics, coachs and a handfull of other "suits" who were there fully paid for from your liscence fees. It must have cost them an arm and a leg. Yet other federations like the British and Australia spend (waste)less than half the money yet fund and support the actual riders (Dh included) way more.