THE tough finish used for Sunday’s Bathurst Cycling Club event didn’t deter good size fields from entering all four graded scratch races, with Richard Hobson taking the spoils in an aggressively fought main event.

The A grade event saw plenty of early attacks by Hobson, Luke Gillmer, Steve Bennett, Karl Addison, Blair Windsor and Steve Scott, who all attempted to get away. 

However, the peloton was brought back together by a number of willing chasers, including Jono Cutler, Paddy Corcoran and Gavin Hill. 

Bathurst club champion Steve Bennett then applied the pressure in the middle stages of the event with a brave solo attack, which was made even more dangerous when Budget Forklifts rider Blair Windsor and Scott jumped the gap to make a group of three in the lead. 

Sensing danger, the peloton chased hard and the race was back together at the foot of Quarry Hill. It was here that Mark Windsor and Hobson made their winning move, riding hard on the lower slopes to establish a lead. 

The pair worked well together to extend their advantage to the finish where Hobson took the win from Windsor. 

Scott jumped early from the group in the race for third, but Hill fought back to take the remaining podium spot with Addison and Bennett to next to finish. 

The leading female on the day was Kirsten Howard, who rode strongly in the top grade.

The bunch stayed together in the B grade race, allowing the climbers to fight it out on the finishing ascent. 

This certainly suited Brian Draper, who took the win over NSW Masters medallist Jim Lavis. Daniel Went continues to improve through the grades as he finished third in front of Rod Esdaile and Tim Roebuck.

Current NSW Masters medallist Jasmine Lee powered home to win the C grade event, defeating Lithgow rider Kevin Bell, who was having his comeback ride after a number of years out of racing. 

Tony Hogan climbed well to defeat Garry Taunton and Michael Robinson for third.

A number of new riders dominated D grade, with Phil Greenhaigh recording a solid win in his first race start. 

Chasing Greenhaigh to the finish were husband and wife duo Luke and Danielle Patterson, who both had good climbing legs to take second and third in front of the more experienced Ken Birch and Ian Hill.