Cycling: James shapes up as 'new Pendleton' Becky James, one of Britain's brightest track prospects, took the first of a possible hat-trick of national titles with victory in the 500m time trial on the opening night of the British Championships at the Manchester Velodrome. The 20-year-old from Abergavenny, the final rider on the track, finished nearly a second ahead of Victoria Williamson. Danielle Khan, another highly-rated youngster who is part of the Olympic Development Programme, came third. James (left) was a reserve for the London Olympics but is favourite to fill the vacancy left by Victoria Pendleton's retirement come Rio 2016. Yesterday she was named in the British team for the opening round of the World Cup in Colombia. Last year James claimed the sprint - beating Jess Varnish - and the keirin at the national championships and is strongly fancied to defend both titles later in the week. On Saturday, she also rides with her sister Rachel in the team sprint.