Will Hodges won last month's Grafton to Inverell in a sprint finish.
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Fast forward to Sunday on Burgmanns Lane, Tamworth, and the 22-year-old Bathurst rider was engaged in another sprint finish for victory.
This time he was sparring with Sydney rider Tom Bolton in the Gunnedah to Tamworth Graded Scratch Races.
Hodges won again - although the margin of victory was closer this time, and came after Bolton's chain appeared to slip close to the finish line.
Bolton - who finished second to Scone-raised Sam Hill in last year's Gunnedah to Tamworth - said: "Will was coming with speed ... Hats off to him, he deserves it."
Hodges, Bolton and another exciting young prospect, Kurt Eather, broke away from what Hodges said was a seven-strong breakaway group, with "about 20-25 kilometres" remaining in the annual 105km state-open event.
Later, Hodges said Bolton attacked, he followed him and Eather got dropped.
Regarding Bolton's mechanical issue at the finish, Hodges said: "It would have been close. Like, I think I was coming 'round with a bit of speed and I might still of had him.
"But it would have been good to see what happened [had the chain not slipped]."
Hodges, who is a member of the Oliver's Real Food national racing team and also earlier won the Orica Kermesse this year, was making his debut appearance in the race.
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