after seeing off all opposition in wintry conditions at Ferry Point Park on Sunday.

The 16-year-old Steinhoff clinched his third win of the season and his first triumph in the third Winner's Edge Mountain Bike National Championships.

Steinhoff put was able to put his superior fitness and technical ability to good use over a demanding course featuring slick rocky climbs, rapid descents and a stiff head wind. The youngster pulled away from his competition to win with just under two laps to go to complete the six-lap twelve-mile race in a time of 1:11.43.

Peter Matcham was the runner-up in 1:12.23, while New Zealander Geoff Wing finished third in 1:13.12.

After an explosive start, Matcham and Trovaughn Smith were the first through a series of bottlenecks to gain a significant time advantage over their competition.

Two laps into the race, their lead was threatened by Wing and Steinhoff, but it would be the latter who would show the initiative and spend most of the race duelling with Matcham.

With one and a half laps remaining, as the rain threatened, Steinhoff put in what was the deciding attack, leaving Matcham faltering and unable to respond, and securing himself the victory.

Steinhoff's victory also assured him a shared spot at the top of the points standings, with he and Matcham, both with three victories and three second-place finishes in the best-six-of-nine series.

Trovaughn Smith finished his season as he finished every race he started, with a victory.

He led for his entire eight-mile 15-16 Boys race, and was never challenged.

However, this could change next year as Kyle Smith, new to mountain bike racing was runner up, just two minutes back in 52:34. Adam Petty was third in 1:00:38.

The 13-14 Boys category was much the same as Tyler Scott took his seventh victory of the season in 57:32 over an eight-mile race. Geoffrey Smith was second in 1:01:14. Coyatito Smith rounded out the top three in 1:03.49.

Timothy Fox secured his seventh win of the season winning his place as the 11-12 boys national mountain bike champion. He finished his four-mile race in 29:26. Birthday boy Aaron Fenn was runner-up in 35:55. Alexander McManus was third in 39:11. Marc Smith got the better of Dominique White to win over two miles in 19:38, but it was White who took the series title.

In the Novice category Chris Smith claimed victory over eight miles in a time of 56:25 winning the points series and the championships. Owen Burgess was second in 59:38.

Ian Fox won his eight-mile Veterans race in 58:42.

See full results on page 14