Belboda won Sunday's second moto in the last of the Pepsi National events of the year at Coney Island.

The riders raced in a clockwise direction for a new challenge as Smith again showed himself to be the man to beat by winning the first moto. But his winning streak ended in the next race when he tried unsuccessfully to catch leader Justin Belboda and Chris Maxwell.

After some hard riding, Smith realised his quest was in vain as he settled for third place, accepting defeat for the first time.

Belboda won the race with Chris Maxwell second.

Smith made amends in the third moto when he returned to his winning ways with Belboda second and Maxwell third.

Jamel Hassell remains the only unbeaten rider this season, stretching his winning streak in the 80cc to 19 wins. Craig Panchaud was second in the first moto and Howard Paynter second in the second and third motos.

Maurice Symons, the current pee wee 50cc points leader, finished first over Jakai Brimmer and Brannon DeSilva in the first two motos. In the third Brimmer turned the tide by stopping Symons' winning streak at 18. Lawrenzo Trott was the lone pee wee 80 rider.

The 60cc race saw a duel between Steven Panchaud and Chris DeSilva, Panchaud winning the first and third motos and DeSilva the second.

Duprey Joell was the lone 250 rider with his rivals suffering bike problems.

The Formula Shell Classic will be held on Boxing Day when there is expected to be a large turnout for one of motocross' biggest race days.

Kemo Simons, the defending 80cc champion, has moved up to the 125C class while the 125C winner from last year, Leroy Maxwell, has moved on to the 125B class.

"Kemo is the two-time 80cc national champion and, having moved up to the 125C, is riding very strong against the 125B class riders,'' said president Ras Mykkal. "He is showing tremendous improvement and has sent notice that he is after the number one plate next season.'' Aaron Pace, the current 125B champion and defending Shell classic winner returns from school but may ride a 250 bike. Also racing at the Formula Shell Classic will be an American rider from the Midwest who will be on a 125 Kawasaki and is expected to give the local riders some stiff competition.

The injuries that caused the death of motocross rider Melvin (Buddy) Joell were not related to the sport, the Royal Gazette has been informed.

President of the Bermuda Auto Cycle Union Ras Mykkal made that disclosure yesterday after speaking with Joell's mother Enda Joell, saying that autopsy results show that Buddy died from other causes.

"Buddy had his spleen removed after a bike accident on the road a few years ago,'' said Mykkal. "As we know the spleen helps the body's immune system to fight off germs, infections and diseases. Apparently his immune system has weakened over the years.

"Buddy's mother, along with myself, would like to set the record straight so that people don't have wrong ideas about what happened.'' Mykkal admitted that the sport was dangerous, but that the BACU was doing whatever it could to minimise serious injuries.

"Anybody who is involved in moto sports knows of the risks. It's not like we're blind to that but we do take every precaution to make it as safe as possible. To date we've never suffered a fatality even though we strongly believed Buddy's death was the first.

LEADER OF THE PACK -- Maurice Symons pictured out in front of the pee wee 50cc Motocross class.