Motor Sport: Former Mirfield rider Louise Robinson has improved her chances of competing in the Olympic Games in Sydney later this year.

The 35-year-old, now based in the Midlands, won a silver medal in the first women's world cyclo-cross Champion-ship at St Michielsgestel in Holland.

The daughter of Brian Robinson - the first British rider to win a stage in the Tour de France - Louise battled with Daphny Van Den Brand for most of the race, but had a stroke of good fortune when the Dutchwoman punctured on the final lap.

The race was won by German Hanka Kupfernagel, who crossed the line 57 seconds clear, Van Den Brand being a further half-minute down in third.

Robinson, whose dad and uncle Des-mond rode in the 1952 Helsinki Games, has been hit by injuries and accidents for the past two seasons, but this return to form couldn't have been better timed.

Louise is suffering from lack of funding, however. She now rides as an independent, following a re-structuring at Raleigh, for whom she had raced since 1995.

She said: "Naturally I am delighted with my form, but without the support of a regular sponsor I am using my savings from previous seasons to live on."

Her dad said: "Starting the New Year on her own must have been very demoralising, but she has really got stuck in, and on present form would be an asset to our squad in Sydney."

Meanwhile, Pupils from Kirklees must be speedy if they want to enter a British Schools' Cycling Association cyclo-cross event.

The races are on Sunday, February 20, at Spenborough Sports Complex at Liver-sedge (9.30am-2pm), but entries close on Sunday and must be pre-booked.

Entry costs £5 and forms are available from PE teachers or headteachers or by contacting David Bishop on 01482-824635.

Boys and girls compete separately, and age groups are under-eights, tens, 12s, 14s and 16s (except for those born before September 1, 1980). For age group team races there must be three boys or two girls. Mountain bikes can be used.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.