STEVE Naylor proved he is still the man to beat with victory in the Mota-Vation Series race at Bletchingdon.

Naylor, from Woodstock, clocked 21mins 15secs for the undulating 4.25-mile course to finish 16 seconds clear of Oxford City’s Darrell Bell-inger.

And there was a west Oxfordshire double with Sophie Carter winning the ladies’ event in 25.05.

Naylor (Bedford & County) was 11 seconds off his own course record from last year, but happy enough with another win, particularly as he has increased his training volume.

This was officially the second race of the series after round one at Charlton-on-Otmoor was postponed in May.

There was drama before the race when an accident closed part of the course, prompting concerns it might not go ahead.

But the emergency services cleared the scene quickly and the start was simply delayed by ten minutes.

Naylor made a break from the start, but never enjoyed the comfort of a minute-plus cushion he built up in 2011.

Bellinger underlined the improvement he has made in the last 12 months by staying in touch and finished 33 secs ahead of third-placed Kieran White (Hercules Wimbledon).

Abingdon Amblers duo Paul Fernandez and Daniel Hamilton were fourth and fifth respectively.

Bellinger helped City take a healthly lead in the men’s team standings, with six runners in the top 22 places.

Steve Male (Oxford City) was first vet 40 man, finishing seventh in 22.46, with Julian Richardson (City) second and Gary Harris (Headington Road Runners) third.

Paul Gregory (Vale of Aylesbury) was the leading vet 50 man in 23.27, ahead of Bryan Vaughan (Woodstock Harriers) and John Nelson (Alchester).

The vet 60 race was an all-Oxford City affair, with Roy Treadwell (25.53) edging out Stewart Thorp and Dave Parsons.

In the ladies’ event, Carter, who finished 42nd overall, held off 46th-placed Jude Craft (Headington) by six seconds in a tight race.

Woodstock Harrier Jessica Webb was second senior lady in 26.47, ahead of Jessica Leitch (Sarn Helen) in 26.54.

Craft had the consolation of vet 35 victory, with Diane Moore (Headington) second and Samantha Usher (Alchester) third.

Dawn Williamson (Cherwell) won the vet 45 category in 30.54, ahead of Rebecca Bigel (Banbury Harriers) and Anita James (Headington).

Gwyneth Hueter (Oxford City) was the first vet 55 lady home in 31.00, with Kim Shaw (Cherwell) second and Kate Willliamson (Eynsham Road Runners) third.

Headington, champions in 2011, lead the women’s team standings.

Round-up

Top 20 (senior men unless stated)

1 S Naylor (Bed) 21.15, 2 D Bellinger (Oxf) 21.31, 3 K White (Her) 22.04, 4 P Fernandez (Abn) 22.22, 5 D Hamilton (Abn) 22.30, 6 T Wright (Ban) 22.38, 7 S Male (Oxf, V40) 22.46, 8 J Bolton (Wds) 22.51, 9 L Newell (Abn) 22.54, 10 A Burgess (Oxf) 22.57, 11 J Richardson (Oxf, V40) 23.02, 12 T Bradford (Hkn) 23.13, 13 N Marley (Cov) 23.25, 14 P Gregory (VoA, V50) 23.27, 15 G Harris (Hed, V40) 23.32, 16 B O’Connor (Wds, V40) 23.35, 17 D Tame (Hkn, V40) 23.41, 18 C Riley (Bed, V40) 23.45, 19 P Jegou (Whh) 23.53, 20 R Storey (Eyn, V40) 24.12.

KEY Abn=Abingdon Amblers, Ban=Banbury Harr-iers, Bed=Bedford & County, Cov=Coventry Godiva Harriers, Eyn=Eynsham Road Runn-ers, Hed=Headington Road Runners, Her= Hercules Wimbledon, Hkn=Hook Norton Harriers, Oxf=Oxford City, VoA=Vale of Ayles-bury, Wds=Woodstock. WHH=White Horse Harriers.