LEAVING many experienced riders struggling in their wake, it is two up-and-coming young stars who are fighting it out for the top spot at the Calshot Winter League.

Matt Coates from Swanmore has showed a variation in form over the winter months, not unusual at this time of year, but the 17-year-old has really got the bit between his teeth over the last few rounds.

Seeing victory in the five-month series within his grasp, Coates has unfortunately come up against another rising star in Brighton's Daniel Manelfi.

In Sunday's final meeting before the Christmas break, Coates faught tooth and nail with his rival, Manelfi having the strength on this occasion to push Coates into second.

The VC St Raphael rider now has a ten-point deficit to make up before the final event in February if he is to take home the title.

Hythe's Nick O'Hara (Sotonia CC) has also found himself beseiged by stronger riders in the senior A League.

Bournemouth riders Ryan James and John Marriner are regulars at the Newport Track League in Wales. At Newport James and Marriner regularly come up against riders such as Paris Roubaix Champion and top professional Magnus Backstedt and world junior champion Geraint Thomas. It is no wonder then that their form is slightly further on at this stage of the year.

O'Hara, however, fights on and finished the day with second in the points race and third in the scratch race, sprint and hare and hounds.

A well-deserved Christmas break should see all the competitors return refreshed and ready for the remaining month of racing.

If there was an excuse to go easy on the food and drink on Christmas Day then the area's cyclo-cross riders will be looking to use it. Local club Crabwood CC promote their annual Boxing Day cyclo cross at the Southampton Sports Centre. The event which is round 13 of the Wessex Cyclo Cross League begins at 12.30pm, with the youth events with the main event starting at 2pm. Cyclo cross is fast and exciting, full of thrills and spills - and it's free to watch!

Senior A League 28-Lap Scratch: 1 Ryan James, primera_bournemouth.co.uk; 2 John Marriner, Bournemouth Jubilee Whlrs; 3 Nick O'Hara, Sotonia.

Senior A League points race: 1 Ryan James, primera_bournemouth.co.uk; 2 Nick O'Hara, Sotonia CC; 3 John Marriner, Bournemouth Jubilee Whlrs.

Senior A League Unknwon Distance: 1 Ryan James, primera_bournemouth.co.uk; 2 John Marriner, Bournemouth Jubilee Whlrs; 3 Ian Greenstreet, Newbury Road Club.

Senior A Sprint: 1 Ryan James, primera_bournemouth.co.uk, 2 John Marriner, Bournemouth Jubilee Whlrs; 3 Nick O'Hara, Sotonia.

CC Senior A Hare & Hounds: 1 Ryan James, primera_bournemouth.co.uk; 2 John Marriner, Bournemouth Jubilee Whlrs; 3 Nick O'Hara, Sotonia.

CC Junior/women & Veterans 2km Scratch: 1 Mario Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT; 2 Ben Plain, Hargroves Cycles; 3 Matt Coates, VC St Raphal / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles.

Junior Women & Veterans' Unknown Distance: 1 Rebecca Charlton, BC PM - South East; 2 Ben Plain, Hargroves Cycles; 3 Matt Coates, VC St Raphal / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles.

Senior B League 28-lap Scratch: 1 Mario Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT; 2 Dan Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT; 3 Ben Plain Hargroves Cycles.

Senior B League Points Race: 1 Dan Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT; 2 Matt Coates, VC St Raphal / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles; 3 Mario Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT.

Senior B League Unknown Distance: 1 Rebecca Charlton, BC PM - South East; 2 Matt Coates, VC St Raphal / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles; 3 Dan Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT.

Senior B League Sprint: 1 Dan Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT, 2 Matt Coates, VC St Raphal / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles; 3 Ben Plain Hargroves Cycles.

Senior B Hare & Hounds: 1 Dan Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT; 2 Mario Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT, 3 Ben Plain, Hargroves Cycles.

Senior B Distance Race: 1 Dan Manelfi, Freeriders Cycles RT; 2 Matt Coates, VC St Raphal / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles; 3 Mario Manelfi Freeriders Cycles RT.