THERE was no double for either Alfie Moses (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) or Ian Taylor at the National Cyclo-Cross Championships at Abergavenny.

Both the Keighley youngster and the Cononley veteran had won their respective season-long National Trophy Series the previous week but had to settle for second places in south-east Wales.

However, although Taylor was the runner-up behind Nick Craig in the men's 40-49 years' race, he had the consolation of winning the 40-44 years' sub-division.

Tom Craig (Pioneer-Scott Synchros) retained his title in the junior men's race but didn't have an easy ride.

Josh Waters (Sherwood Pines Cycles) took the field by surprise with his fast start but Moses soon bridged the gap, with David Barnes (Team Corley Cycles) close behind and Craig a little further back.

Waters looked unstoppable as the race settled down, but ran out of steam, and Craig entered the finishing straight in front on the third lap, with Moses glued to his wheel.

Craig ultimately proved too strong for Moses, increasing his lead on the final laps, and Moses had to settle for silver, with Mark McGuire (Mountain Trax RT) taking third after a sprint with Waters.

"That wasn't an easy race, I had a gap after a couple of laps but Alfie didn't give up chasing me down," said Craig. "The plan was just to go out as hard as I could from the start."

Craig's dad Nick (Pioneer-Scott Synchros) rode superbly to deny the strong challenge of Taylor.

These two, plus Darren Atkins (Ride Coventry), made an early break, and Taylor and Atkins had a small gap on Craig at the end of the first lap.

However, Taylor and Craig then managed to distance themselves from Atkins, who was recovering from a flu bug, while Haworth's Andy Peace (Jedi Cycle Sport) was in a chasing group vying for fifth, and he eventually finished eighth.

By the midway point, Taylor and Craig were playing cat and mouse at the front, but Craig made the decisive move on the short climb after the pits.

Taylor said: "I knew I had to keep it hard all race but it took it out of me. I knew I had to put the effort in to string the rest of the race out.

"However, I've done a lot better than I thought I would. I came down with a cold after Derby (National Trophy Series final round) and I've struggled to clear it up.

"I thought 'Let's start and see how it goes through the race' and it was worth the effort."

Former Keighley resident Chris Young (Pedalsport CC) made it a trio of second places with a runners-up berth in the men's 50-plus race but there was national glory for Eldwick's Sophie Thackray (Paul Milnes Cycles-Olympic RC)

She won the under-16 girls' race and then did a victory lap as she was the only female not lapped by boys' winner Dan Tulett.

Sophie made her move on the second lap, taking the lead from Emily Wadsworth (Beeline Bicycles RT) and ended up with the whole finishing straight between her and the fight for the other podium places.

Young said of his battle with Tim Gould: "I was a bit disappointed after I beat him last week (at Derby).

"I had a good week training and I've done everything right but he just had a bit more power than me on some sections."

East Morton's Annie Simpson (Hope Factory Racing) was eighth in the women's race.