SPORT like the British weather can be so fickle.

This time last year the Parrot Print trio of Andy Lyons, Danny Axford and Worcester's Gavin Poupart were celebrating their ninth, 12th and 17th places in the British Elite Cycling Championships, this year the same trio did not finish the Championship!

For Lyons, this race, held near Manchester, was just one month too soon.

Two months off through glandular fever is not good preparation and although he lasted some 85 miles he never looked comfortable.

Axford suffered from having his car broken into on the eve of the race and then puncturing whilst looking very comfortable in the main group.

Despite a good wheel change his chasing was severely hampered by the team cars on the narrow twisting roads.

Ironically these same cars usually benefit puncture victims trying to regain their place but on parts of this circuit they were a hindrance.

Poupart struggled trying to haul his 6ft 4in body over the severe short climbs and he was forced to retire as well. Not a good day for the team.

This same circuit is the one for next month's Commonwealth Games and will prove to be a very severe test.

The local authorities used the Elite Championship as a dress rehearsal and so the race enjoyed completely closed roads with spectators having to walk round the circuit.

Despite this, the race attracted a very large crowd who enjoyed a top spectacle and even three BBC television crews were seen filming the event.