First out were the C graders, with some of the junior riders showing everyone how to do it.

With a stack of breakaways during the race, Fletcher Partlin edged out Josh Nash in the sprint for first place while Zane Tapp came third.

Next up was B grade, with Gunnedah’s Trevor Jaeger taking first place from Luke O'Connor while there was a considerable distance between O’Connor and the third-placed Joe Kelly.

Mick Sherwood won A grade while Ash Smith was second, and third went to Mark Stewart who beat Warren Clark by the thickness of a tyre in a sprint finish.

The Tamworth Cycle Club president, Stewart, said numbers picked up from the previous week.

“It’s a fast-paced road event which is high intensity,” Stewart said, noting that “it does involve strategy” as competitors sought to spot other riders’ weaknesses.

Stewart nonetheless said: “It’s a social thing, and all in good spirits.”