CONONLEY'S Ian Taylor is delighted to have finally won the National Trophy Series after finishing second for the past two seasons.

The Jedi Cycle Sport rider was second in the sixth and final round at Moorways Leisure Centre in Derby on Sunday.

But with Nick Craig (Pioneer Scott Syncros) winning, a runners-up berth was enough to give Taylor the overall spoils in the veteran men's 40-49 years category ahead of third-placed Darren Atkins (Ride Coventry).

Taylor's clubmate Andy Peace, from Haworth, was seventh on the day and fifth overall.

A delighted Taylor, who won by just four points, said: "That was a hard race – and I really wanted the win as well. I know I had to keep away from Darren and when Nick went, I just had to go with him.

"I don't think I would have gone if it was just Darren and myself but the last two laps I was really hanging in there."

Taylor added ahead of this weekend's National Championships in Abergavenny: "The series was my target this season. I've been second in the last two years, so I'm pretty pleased with that.

"I'll be looking for a podium at the nationals. Nick is defending his title but anything can happen."

Taylor was not the only local series winner as Shipley's Chris Young (Pedalsport CC) lifted the over-50s veterans' crown.

With fellow contender Phil Roach competing at the World Masters Championship in Switzerland, Young knew that only a serious incident would bar his path to series victory. But old rival Tim Gould (www.Zepnat.com RT-Kuota-GSG) made it hard for him from the off.

The duo were soon setting a high pace some 30 seconds ahead of the chasers, who were led by Mick Davies(Pedal Power Loughborough). But with two laps to go, Young made his move and got a gap on Gould, Davies finishing third.

Young, who won the title by 24 points from Roach, said: "It has all gone pretty much to plan this year, apart from the odd cold.

"I've enjoyed the racing. Having the legend that is Tim Gould back in the races has pushed the racing up a level – just riding with him is like going back 30 years.

"It's been a competitive series. We've had four different winners, which is great for the sport. I didn't think I'd be racing at this age but it's a lot of fun.

"We have a new world champion (Steve Davies) riding with us at the Nationals, so I have to beat a world champion to get a national title. It'll be a good race between myself, Tim, Steve and Phil Roach."

Eldwick's Sophie Thackray (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) won her first under-16 girls' race and finished third overall.

Thackray took the lead from Emily Wadsworth (Beeline Bicycles RT) on the opening lap and her turn of pace led to her opening a big gap.

Keighley's Alfie Moses (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC), who had already wrapped up the junior men's crown after the fifth round in Bradford, finished second behind Tom Craig (Pioneer Scott Syncros) at Derby to end up triumphing by 60 points.

East Morton's Annie Simpson (Hope Factory Racing) was eighth in the women's race, where she was soon behind winner Annie Last and series winner Amira Mellor (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC), and ended up fourth overall.

Former Otley resident Adela Carter (Hope Factory Racing) was third in the race and second overall, while Bingley's Marie Jackson (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) was fifth in the women's veterans' race and third overall.

Birkenshaw's Billy Harding (Orange Monkey Pro Team) was sixth overall in the men's under-23 category, as was Finlay Cooper-Oldroyd (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) in the under-14 boys, while Wibsey's Euan Cameron (East Bradford Cycling Club) was tenth overall in the boys' under-16 category.