Jackson Langley and Panzy Olander clinched maiden One Communications Mountain Bike titles after wrapping up the season in a thrilling finale at Ferry Reach on Sunday.

Heading into the seventh race of the series two points adrift of defending champion Kavin Smith in the Open 60 Minute category, Langley was faced with the prospect of knowing only victory would be enough to dethrone his main rival.

The young challenger signalled his intent from the start on his way to a dominant victory and the required 25 points to take the title with 137 points overall, a single point ahead of race runner-up Smith.

Alan Potts completed the overall podium places on 114 points after finishing the final race in fifth place, behind David Byrne and Che’quan Richardson.

“It’s been a great season and I’m really happy to have won my first title,” said Langley.

“There was a small margin between the two of us at the start of the race and so I knew with a win I would win overall.

“I always try to go off fast from the front because that is purely my riding style. Those are my tactics and I’m pleased it worked out.

“I didn’t have a great start to the start of the season and I had to realise that I was capable of beating these guys.”

A magnanimous Smith held no qualms about relinquishing his crown, instead taking the positives of still being as competitive as he was at the age of 57.

“I managed to win the title in my first season last year and I never imagined I’d be as competitive as I have been since transitioning from running,” said Smith, a record nine-times winner of the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby.

“To win last year I was ecstatic and to come second to a young guy like Jackson this year, I’m just as excited.

“At my age you lose that little bit of aggressiveness to go out and race hard, because this sport really hurts.

“I’m 57 yearsold and so I’m just so happy that I was able to be this close up until the last race of the season. I have no complaints whatsoever.”

There was to be no last-race drama for Olander, as she clinched her fifth victory of a storming season to claim the title with a total of 141 points.

Charlotte Millington, who was third behind Caitlin Conyers on the day, finished as the overall runner-up, 12 points adrift of Olander, with Wendy-Ann Thomas rounding out the top three places a further two points behind, despite finishing sixth in the final outing.

The top-three finishers in the final Open 30 Minute race of the season ultimately had no bearing on the overall standings.

On the day, Maceo Dill came out on top ahead of Howard Williams and Paul Hayward, but it was Sherman Darrell who triumphed overall, taking the title with a points total of 125, comfortably clear of Mike Belvedre (105pts), with Rui Moniz third on 98.

A third-placed finish for Mark Richardson yesterday was enough to be triumphant in the final Male Novice standings, as he finished on 136 points, 19 clear of nearest rival Kareem Johnson, second on the day behind race winner Jeremiah Murphy. Alexander Roque rounded out the overall top three, a further three points behind.

In the corresponding female category, Arlene MacGuinness capped off a sensational season, clinching her fourth victory to top the final standings on 144 points, five clear of Katrina Carr, who was also the runner-up in the final outing, with third-placed Olivia Bishop (102pts), finishing in the same position overall.

Ray Richardson came out on top of the overall Male 13-16 standings with 139 points, ahead of Sanchez Smith (120pts) and Makao Butterfield (119pts), with Skye Ferguson triumphant in the corresponding female division, finishing the season with 147 points, ahead of Kelise Wade (138pts).

In the Male 9-12 division, victory in the final race for Jonah MacGuinness (137 points) proved pivotal as he pipped Hannes Swart, who was third on the day, to the title by just four points. Alfie Jansma, fourth in the last race, rounded out the overall top three with 125 points.

The Female 9-12 Division proved just as hard fought as victory in the final outing proved enough for Ava Swart to take the title with 133 points, just two clear of Ruby Cook, who was also runner-up on the day. Holly Cook, completed both the final day and overall podium places with 119 points.