Lynn Patchett is still in the running for a spot in the Commonwealth Games following an impressive opening weekend of riding in the

Vuelta Ciclista Femenina in El Salvador.

Patchett, who needs to finish in the top 25 percent of either individual road races or the overall classification to book her place for Melbourne 2006, is in the top 20 after two stages of the South American race.

Patchett, who earned the trip by impressing the Velo Girls boss during the recent CD&P Grand Prix, finished 18th in the prologue time trial on Friday before a 21st place finish in the 108km road race ? a top 11 spot would have been enough to secure qualification in the field of 44 riders.

The Island Games and Caribbean Championship gold medallist did break into that elusive top 11 in Saturday?s time trial and circuit race, a position she needs to repeat in either today?s 115.5km road race or in the 86km finale tomorrow.

Sarah Tillotson, Patchett?s team-mate in El Salvador and the winner of the Cheerios Dockyard Criterium on the final day of CD&P racing, finished third in yesterday?s circuit race to go with her fifth place finish in Saturday?s road race.