The pair showcased the experience they've gained from racing at the top domestic level in Australia by racing clear of their A grade rivals on Saturday.

In the end it was this year's Bathurst Cycling Classic criterium champion Bolton who got the nod over the former Grafton-Inverell winner Hodges at the finish line of the historic Vale Road circuit.

However, Hodges claimed the honour of being the first Bathurst club rider home, as Bolton currently represents his home club of Dulwich Hill.

David Nicholas gained valuable preparation for his upcoming Tokyo Paralympics tilt as he was next across the line, while Mark Windsor was the runner-up in the race for the Bathurst club prize by finishing fourth on the road.

Windsor has had to settle for a run of runner-up results in recent times but he said he's happy to take that position when a rider like Hodges gets involved in local club racing.

"I'm happy to be second to someone like Will because I think it's fantastic to have someone who respects the title enough that he makes sure that he's here to race in it," he said.

"You get the premier rider of the club back racing in these events and that adds to an already impressive honour roll, which includes guys like Mark Renshaw and Dean Windsor - people who have won over in Europe. Having someone like Will continues that tradition of strengthening that honour roll."

The A grade bunch stayed together in the early stages of the race, with no-one eager to make an early move.

But Hodges and Nic Barrett eventually initiated the first move, before Bolton and Nicholas joined in. Barrett couldn't stay with the break but Windsor was able to join the leading trio.

Nicholas and Windsor eventually dropped off when their younger counterparts lifted the tempo.

"I plan my race a little bit around Dave because he's in the final throws of preparing to go over to Tokyo and he's got form. When those two went with a couple of laps to go I was happy to be able to go along with Dave for a while," Windsor said.

"The hilly nature of that course allows you to casually put the pressure on when you need to, and that's what split us up.

"While it's not a major event for both Will and Tom it's a chance for the two of them to belt themselves up and get a bit of adrenaline in racing for a local title. It's a benefit for both of them in the grand scheme of things because Tom's coming back from an injury and Will is keen to get him riding again."

In B grade Steve Bennett went for the first move but he'd have to settle for the runner-up finish behind David Reece, who pulled off a successful counter attack. David Shaw was third.

C grade went the way of Mick Foran over Robert Stephen and Damien Bennett while Peter Hickey won D grade over Gary Theiss and David Hyland.

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