With just one race remaining in the Conrad?s Mountain Bike Points Series, only one point separates the top three competitors.

It was Garth Thomson, however, who led wire to wire in Sunday?s event at Hog Bay Park, followed by Neil de Ste Croix.

But with neither of that pair in contention for overall honours, the real battle was between Mark Hatherley, Dave Padega, and Grant Goudge.

The race saw Hatherley finish in third place, giving him a total of 145 points for the season ? just one ahead of Goudge and Padega, the latter haunted by a broken chain that cost him valuable points.

Geoff Wing finished fifth and Kim McMullen sixth in her return to racing.

Norbert Meyer took advantage of good conditions and Wayne Scott?s absence to nab his first win in the intermediate category ahead of Paul Jacks.

While Scott and Jacks will finish one-two in the points series in their division, Meyer, Ed Jordan (fourth) and Peter Dunne will battle for third at this weekend?s finale.

Jeff Amaral sealed the novice men?s points title with a solid second place finish behind Keith Bernhard.

Bernhard?s win vaulted him ahead of Dion Tucker, Phil Hill, and Wayne Robertson in the tight battle for second place.

Sarah Jordan and Louise Wakefield enjoyed a close battle among the novice women with Jordan netting her eighth win of the season.

Tadhig O?Shaughnessy won the 11-12 boys? race uncontested while Elizabeth Jordan cemented the 11-12 girls? points title with her win over the fast improving Laura Salmon.

Daniel Hetzel won his first race of the season in the boys? 10 and under division ahead of Lucas Salmon and Sebastian Dill. Joshua Stephenson and Ryan Day rounded out the finishers.

The category points title will be decided at the National Championships next week at Ferry Reach Park with Joshua Robertson holding a narrow lead over Justin Ferreira, Salmon, and Hetzel.

Riders return to Hog Bay this Sunday to take part in the National Downhill Championships.