THE KEIGHLEY area notched a veterans' one-two in the fourth round of the National Trophy Series at Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Cononley's Ian Taylor (Jedi Cycle Sport) won the over-40 race around Campbell Park, while former Stocksbridge resident Chris Young (Pedalsport) took the over-50s race.

Taylor's victory, where he again proved too strong for his nearest challenger Darren Atkins, meant that he retained his series lead.

Once again, both riders stole a march on the rest of the field on the opening lap, while Haworth's Andy Peace, a team-mate of Taylor's, was liking the muddy conditions early doors and was a comfortable third, alongside an improving Chris Rathbone (Naked Bikes Hai Bikes-Imp Sp).

But it was Tim Davies (CC Abergavenny-JP Signs) who proved to be the stronger of the chasing pack and took his first podium of the series behind Taylor and Atkins.

Young showboated across the line to win the over-50s race after proving too durable for Phil Roach (Team Jewson-MI Racing) and Tim Gould (Zepnat).

The Shipley man was finding the mud easy to ride and, once clear of the big field of back markers, looked to have the race sewn up barring any late issues.

Roach and Gould were climbing the steep banks together but Gould slid on the descents on more than one occasion, allowing Roach to ride away for second.

Chris' younger brother Mike (Pedalsport CC) was ninth.

Wilsden's Annie Simpson (Hope Factory Racing) was sixth in a women's race that was bolstered by overseas riders thanks to the World Cup race the previous day.

American Katie Compton (Trek Factory Racing) crossed the line more than a minute ahead of rivals Christine Majerus (Boels-Dolmans) and Karen Verhestraeten (Kleur op Maat) completing the podium in third spot.

Holmfirth 17-year-old Amira Mellor Amira Mellor (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) was the best British finisher in fourth, 2min 33sec back, but extended her series lead before the penultimate round in Bradford on Sunday, December 14.

Simpson and Mellor were working well together initially, battling for second, while Majerus was not far behind.

Majerus overtook the British duo mid-race, despite having tangled with a fence earlier and lost some of her impetus, but she never got to closer than about 150 metres from Compton.

Verhestraeten had steadily moved up and, by the penultimate lap, was just ten seconds behind Simpson and Mellor, while Katrien Thijs (Kleur op Maat) was also chasing hard and would also soon catch Simpson as the high pace proved merciless.

Keighley's Alfie Moses (Paul Milnes Cycles-Bradford Olympic RC) was seventh in the junior men's race, which attracted a large crowd as it preceded the UCI World Cup races on Saturday.

The National Trophy series leader was hampered by a series of crashes but his placing was a reward for a tireless display.