CYCLING: LAURA Allen's record attempt was blown off course at the British Schools Cycling Association National Time Trial Championships.
But she maintained her impressive start to the season with a crushing win.
The Widnes girl finished second overall in the Under 12 category and was first girl by more than two minutes.
The event was staged on an exposed airfield at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire.
Laura, a pupil at Our Lady Of Perpetual Succour, had hoped to attack the national record.
Training rides had showed she was capable of achieving the speeds necessary over the five-mile course.
But the windy day brought very hard conditions and all the age groups suffered.
Laura returned a time of 16.01 - well outside the record but an excellent performance in the circumstances.
Her brother and Abesco-Cruden New Brighton CC team-mate Joseph Allen, riding for Sts Peter & Paul High School, finished just outside the medals again.
His time of 32.09 for the 10 miles secured overall fourth place in the U14 category.
The North West Track Championships at Manchester Velodrome saw a rather hurried programme of events due to the huge number of riders - many having travelled from the Isle of Man.
Joe suffered in the U16 races, eventually finishing just outside the top 10.
Laura was unable to retain her title, finishing second overall in the U12 event.
After being let down by her racing tactics in the two group races, Laura used her time-trialling ability to claw her way back on the last event.
Laura hopes her successes will lead to further support from Halton Sports Development, who have financially assisted the rider over the last four years.
Laura's next target is the British Cycling National Championships in June.
Joe is concentrating on the local time-trialling scene with two preparatory races before the Liverpool GHS Championships he won last year.
