FORMER Huddersfield Star Wheeler James Sampson (Motorpoint Pro-Cycling) has kicked off his 2011 season at the Tour of Mumbai.

Sampson was in the breakaway on day two of the Indian race which took place in 38 degree temperatures. His teammate Jonny McEvoy finished third on the stage which was a great result for the British-based Pro team.

Graham Piccavey (Huddersfield Star Wheelers) rode the ‘Hit the North’ mountain bike event and finished a creditable 34th out of the 155 finishers for the two-hour race won by Ian Taylor (Craven Energy Tri).

Conditions were extremely muddy for the race in Philips Park, Whitefield, Greater Manchester, resulting in 25 riders not making it to the finish.

Meanwhile, Olympic and World champion Ed Clancy (Rapha Condor), from Huddersfield, was part of the victorious Great Britain team pursuit squad at the World Cup Track championships.

Alongside Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas and Steven Burke, the former Holme Valley Wheeler propelled the team to an astonishing time of 3min 55.395sec for the 4km, just 2 seconds off the world record set in Beijing.

Runners-up New Zealand just missed out on breaking the four-minute barrier with 4min 00.314 sec.