JEREMY HUNT, one of Britain's elite professionals with the Spanish Banesto team, had his late request for inclusion in the FBD Milk Ras rejected yesterday by the organiser Dermot Dignam.

Hunt has built up a reputation as a feared sprinter in Continental races and he recorded his fourth win of the season when he proved best in the bunch sprint at Calahorra on the opening stage of the four-day Tour of Rioja in Spain two weeks ago. Despite occupying fourth place on the final day, he eventually slumped to 89th overall, 33 minutes down on the winner, team-mate Jose-Maria Jimenez.

As Hunt had no other engagement this weekend he appealed to Dignam for a place in the Ras line-up but, after considering it fully, Dignam refused.

"I have nothing against professionals," Dignam said "hut I decided it would be unfair to all those who entered on time to allow a rider of Hunt's calibre in now."