More than 70 riders from around the region, including 20 juniors, battled it out around Tamworth's new criterium track.

A quality field contested the A grade race and aggressive riding was on display early. Avantias Pro Racing had a strong team presence including Harris, and new addition Sam Spokes, while Steve Roberts had the task of breaking up the peloton with numerous attacks.

Team BridgeLane's Sam Hill was the only willing chaser and brought all breakaways back to the peloton.

Armidale's Oliver Marshall then made his move on the last lap with Tamworth's Luke Deasey firmly on his wheel. At the last bend Deasey hit the front and appeared the likely winner, only for Harris to launch an extraordinary sprint in the straight and grab him on the line.

Marshall held on to finish third.

Inverell's Alwyn Miller got the better of Tamworth young guns Eddie Willis and Zane Tapp in B grade. Tapp was backing up from winning the omnium event at the club championships.

Miller's club-mate Peter Baz took out C grade from fellow Inverell cyclist Peter Lane and Nick Reid (Tamworth), while Tamworth youngster Annabelle Sadleir was first across the line in D grade, ahead of club-mate Malcolm Nash and Janine Parlevliet.

In the junior events, Willis won the Division 1 race, Eliza Shaw the Division 2 and Ben Shaw Division 3.

Lachlan Butters (Division 1), Andy Blair (Division 2) and Richard May (Division 3) were second with Ben McElligott (Division 1), Tom Sadleir (Division 2) and Lincoln Brennan (Division 3) finishing third.

Ben Shaw had a good day, also taking the honours in the Division 3 time trial.

Dempsey Burton was the fastest in Division 1 and Andy Blair in Division 2.

Bernard May finished second behind Burton, with Ryan Macey third. Ziggy Henderson was second in Division 2 and Thomas Sadleir third while Richard May crossed second in Division 3 and Issy O'Connor third.

The third round will coincide with the opening of the Inverell criterium track on March 7.