Birthday boy Mark Spessot showed his class again in a perfectly timed sprint finish to win the category one race.
Speed skater Brett McCormick showed it was not just ice he could speed on as he claimed the category two sprint finish, while newcomer Stu Fleming had his first win of the season in category three.
Eight category one riders started but Rangi Wharepapa went out in the early laps with two punctures, and Rob Creesy was off the pace.
The six remaining riders made short work of their six laps of the 8km circuit.
Several attacks were quickly shut down and the bunch remained intact coming into the final straight.
At 150m to go, Jacob Grieve appeared to have the race sewn up.
But he had not reckoned on a speeding Spessot who, in signature style, powered past Grieve to claim the victory by a bike length.
A hair's width separated Stu Crooks and Tim Chapman for third, with the adjudicators awarding it to Crooks.
Category two featured the largest field of the day with 19 well-matched riders, including junior world track silver medallist Alysha Keith in her first race back with the club.
An early puncture put an end to her race, however, along with in-form Guy Carter.
Also racing over six laps, the riders had to withstand relentless attacks throughout the race from Steve Green, Elyse Fraser, Wayne Evans and others. Each attack saw the field pull together to reel the escapees back into the pack.
An unfortunate final-lap crash on the Factory Rd rail crossing split the field as many riders stopped to aid the injured Alex Neems while the others, unaware of the incident, raced to the finish.
It was still a sizeable bunch that contested the sprint with McCormick edging out Carl Haddon, with Central Otago's Jordon Gilmore third.
Category three included a mixed bag of novice masters riders, juniors, seasoned veterans and former top riders returning to the sport.
The 16-strong bunch, while strung out at times, remained intact into the final lap.
Improving every week, Stu Fleming showed the benefit of his training to take the sprint from Gavin Hartley, with Gordon Tucker third.
Next week, Cycling Otago hosts one of its premier events of the season, the R&R-sponsored two-day tour. Entries (www.cyclingotago.co.nz) are open till Thursday.
By Janice McClelland.
