Sam Spokes made a winning return to the Tamworth Cycle Club’s Criterium series on Sunday.
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Spokes, 24, took the A-grade spoils from Ash Smith with regular rider Mick Sherwood rounding out the trifecta.
The elite division produced a cracking race highlighted by a fast-paced ride around the Goddard Lane circuit on a morning where cloud cover kept the temperatures down.
Sherwood, whose consistency has been a feature of the series, still holds sway on top of the standings with 32, five points clear of Spokes.
B-grade was similar to previous weeks even though a few regulars were away.
A tough race with an average speed of 40km made it hard for anyone to make a move.
Chuck Taylor made his break on the downhill straight and lead for almost all the last lap, managing to hang onto his lead and seal the win from Dave Menzies.
Rob Carlyon, who is a regular from Gunnedah took third.
C-grade set the tone with a fast race.
Nick Reid tried for a break away with Jeremy Deasey, who made his first Crit appearance, going along with him.
But the pair was unable to make it stick.
Alf Partlin also put in some hard yards to try and break up the field, also proving unsuccessful.
With two laps to go it was a tight bunch making their way to a sprint finish.
Reid, in his first race of the year, was in front after the final turn, but beaten on the line by a margin of half a wheel by Peter Nash, a renowned fast finisher.