Warm autumn conditions certainly kept the modest crowds at the finish line comfortable as they eagerly awaited the cyclists completing the 228km ride between Grafton and Inverell.

The 400 plus riders entered in this year's event marked a moment in history, taking part in the 60^th edition of the iconic race.

Watch the Division 1 Men's NRS winners cross the line here:

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Now, it's about keeping the history and momentum going "to reach the 70^th anniversary", Inverell Cycle Club President Andrew Blake said.

Watch the video of the winner's presentation here:

Cycling NSW's CEO Graham Seers said it was a pleasure to be at Inverell to welcome the finalists after their challenging ride.

"It's sensational," he said.

"It's like a spring day, the wind wasn't super tough which I think has added to the bunches that we've seen come in today, and I think the style of rider is changing, a few more people preparing longer for this sort of event, and it's always tough though, tough to get here."

For him the races held so many memories, and said it was always an event that "adds more memories to it".

"I came up as a young man, sub-juvenile they used to call them, in 1973 to watch this event, and to be a part of it then, not only as a manager, but I've previously raced it - I've won, lost - and so for me to come back and watch everyone else enjoy what I once had, it's great to be a part of."

Blake, debriefing and already on the job for next year, said the ever increasing red tape can be managed, he said finances were the biggest woe.

Yet the popularity of the race isn't dimming, with this year seeing the biggest Division 1.

"Because of COVID everyone is starved of competition," he said.

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"It was surprising because there were two monuments - only two monuments in the country, this one and the Melbourne to Warnambool - and they ran that last weekend.

"I thought we were going to take a big hit but they took the big hit, they had 150 entrants - and that is a big race from a big populous - so I'm taking it as a big shout out to the Grafton to Inverell that 'we're coming to you'."

The race "went well" according to officials, despite two accidents on the road.

One involved a team of women, one allegedly receiving a broken collar-bone and others "bumps and bruises" from the tumble.

The other was a fall 150 meters from the finish.

Determined to continue, the rider got up and walked his bike across the line.

A total of $1500 fines were also issued after the race, for littering, not displaying numbers correctly, crossing double-white lines and not following directions, and one issued for a "non-complying rain jacket'.

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