STAR Wheelers Mark Thaxter and Ivan Boyes had promising rides in their first races of the season.

Boyes travelled to Ashbourne in Derbyshire for the first Darley Moor event of 2009.

Despite two breakaway attempts, Boyes finished in the bunch in the third and fourth category races.

John Doherty, from Brighouse-based VS Cycles, was 13th in the Elite, first, second and third races.

Thaxter took part in the Ribble Valley CRC race at Treales in Lancashire.

He finished in 18th in the third and fourth category event in horrendous weather conditions.

Tom Murray took third place in the E,1,2 race which capped off a very successful spell of racing for the Lindley rider.