Cycling: Allen fourth in individual pursuit

Jason Allen rode the fastest 4000m individual pursuit of his life to give himself the chance of a medal at the velodrome in Melbourne last night.

But a couple of hours later he failed to fire and finished fourth.

Rated the third best of New Zealand's trio in the 16-lap race, Allen posted the third fastest qualifying time and the chance of bronze.

That 4m 22.941s effort - a personal best by more than 10s - obviously told. Returning to the track, Allen, 24, struggled and trailed England's Stephen Cummings throughout.