JESSICA Varnish is aiming to cement her position as Britain's lead rider in the team sprint competition.

The 23-year-old endured a frustrating time at last week's Track World Cup event in Guadalajara, Mexico.

But while the Finstall Flyer uncharacteristically did not progress into the latter stages in her three events, she did demonstrate her ability in the team event.

She set a time of 18.835 seconds in the opening lap, which was the third fastest time of the year, but a disappointing 34.023s by rookie rider Dani Khan saw them British pair miss out.

Her performance justified Team GB's decision to hand Varnish the leader rider role, which is known as 'man one' in track cycling parlance.

Selectors are still working out the the best combination for the team sprint and it could be Vicky Williamson, who is keen to wrestle the lead role from Varnish, who is recalled for the next World Cup round in London at the start of December.

Another of her rivals, Becky James, is also recovering from injury.

The Bromsgrove rider, who is a member of V-Sprint Racing Club and a life member of Halesowen CC, failed to progress past the last 16 in the individual category, losing to Spain's Tania Calvo Barbero.

In the Keirin, she was then unlucky to be knocked out by Australian legend Anna Meares in the first round.

The pair had appeared neck and neck at the end but Meares progressed by 1,000th of a second.

Father James Varnish said: "It was a very tough week in Mexico but Jess is over the moon with her time in the team sprint."

She now turns her attention to round two in London next month.