JESSICA Varnish has not given up hope of being selected to represent Great Britain at the Rio Olympics.

The Finstall rider, who has been training in Australia, reiterated her desire to compete at a second Games, despite being dropped from the British cycling programme in April.

Varnish claimed former head of technical performance Shane Sutton had made sexist remarks towards her.

Sutton, who denies making sexist or insulting comments, stepped down from his role after further accusations that he made disparaging remarks concerning para-cyclers.

British Cycling are currently conducting an independent review of their performance programmes and Varnish has offered full cooperation to the governing body and UK Sport.

She said: “My immediate priority is to win back my place on the British Cycling team, ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games, and to prove that I was, and still am, good enough to win medals for Great Britain.

“I have reached out to the new Performance Director at British Cycling, Andy Harrison, and will meet with him on my return to the UK.

“I still maintain that the decision not to renew my contract was not down to performance.

“Prior to the 2016 World Championships I was not once told that I was underperforming. We have monthly reviews and at no stage was I put under review, or set performance targets to keep my place on the programme.

“The first I knew that the coaches had an issue with my performance levels, or training data, was five days after the 2016 World Championships, when I was told I wouldn’t be getting a new contract over the phone.

“ I also maintain that I am a world class athlete, and have the ability to win more medals for Great Britain.

“During the two-year Olympic qualifying process: I gained more qualifying points than any other British female sprint rider, “I was consistently performing in the top five in the world for lap onetimes in the Team Sprint and I qualified the Olympic places for Great Britain in the individual Sprint and Keirin.

“Since 2012 I have won medals at the World & European Championships and Commonwealth Games.

“I hope that on hearing my case, and with the knowledge that I have been doing the best I can under the circumstances to maintain my fitness on the track, Andy Harrison and British Cycling will give me the chance to get back on the British cycling program ahead of selection for Rio.

"It is been a dream for me ever since London 2012 to compete and be successful in Rio.”