OLDHAM HOLDS HIS NERVE

After winning the opening two rounds, Hope Factory Racing?s Paul Oldham returned to form just at the right time, finishing second in the final round at Derby on Sunday to leapfrog rival Dave Collins and take the overall series.

While Under-23 star Ian Bibby (Science in Sport-Trek) won the final round staged at Derby College, Oldham was just ten seconds behind his rival, claiming 44 points to bring his total to 198, while Collins - who was knocked from his bike while training just before the National Championships - struggled round the course and finished 11th, leaving him with 186 points.

Third going into the final round, Wheelbase?s Rob Jebb moved up to second overall with third on the day to overtake Collins by just two points and conclude one of the tightest finishes to the series for several years.

Sixth spot overall was enough for Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) to take the under-23 title, while victory at Derby helped Annie Last (Matlock CC) take the women?s title as well as the junior girls prize.

VC Deal?s Alex Paton was crowned the junior men?s series winner after long-time leader Scott Thwaites (Crosstrax), who won the first three rounds, failed to start the final event.

See this week?s Cycling Weekly for more on the final round of the National Trophy.

National Trophy (final round, Derby).-

1 Ian Bibby (Science in Sport) 1-00-19

2 Paul Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) at 10sec

3 Rob Jebb (Wheelbase) at 1-12

4 Jody Crawforth (Evans Cycles RT) at 1-49

5 Nick Craig (Scott UK) at 1-59

6 Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) at 2-38