Veteran cyclist Greg Hopkins saw off a spirited challenge from the rest of the field to claim a historic victory in the IBC Front Street Races yesterday.

Hopkins, co-owner of the Winners Edge cycling shop, finished just ahead of another veteran, Kent Richardson, to win the annual race for the first time.

And the fashion in which he won made the victory all the more sweet.

"I am pleased with my victory today," 53-year-old Hopkins told The Royal Gazette. "It is a race I've never won previously, but my training throughout the winter and preparation allowed me to feel good during the race."

The day included races in various age groups, from children up to veterans, with the headline event being the Men's Open and Intermediate.

The main race of the day was broken up into two sections, with competitors in the Intermediate group riding for 45 minutes with a one-lap finish at the end of the allotted time, and the Open riders cycling for an hour with the same one-lap rule applying at the end.

The race started brightly with young Jonathan Herring making a break to give some breathing space between himself and the chasing pack.

But it was a move that came too early as he was quickly swallowed up.

The next attempt to ditch the pack came from Peter Mills, who gave himself a lead of 22 seconds.

But as time wore on and the heat began to take its toll, the peloton used their numerical advantage to reel himself in.

Hopkins, wary of the time remaining and how the pack was slowly decreasing in size, saw his moment and seized it.

He opened a gap with Richardson picking up the challenge.

The stage was set for a thrilling finish as time expired, and when the bell rung to signal one lap remaining, the two heavyweights went tit for tat until they hit Front Street and the final stretch.

It was Richardson who seemed to have it sewn up as the two raced towards the line, but as the Flagpole got closer Hopkins made his final and decisive move.

"Two-thirds of the race in, I felt the work I had put in earlier, but I eased up and that enabled me to feel good later on. So when I made my move it was a decisive one," Hopkins said.

"I wanted to get away from the Open riders, and it was an even better race when Kent pulled up alongside me.

"I wasn't concerned when Peter made his move as there were still 20 minutes left and too early to make a decisive impact on the race.

"Up the front at that stage was way too early, and Peter is a good tri-athlete but I knew there were too many guys in the chasing pack. We didn't want him to get any further ahead.

"It looks like a big gap but to a cyclist a 15-20 second lead is not big at all."

In the Open race, Wayne Scott emerged victorious after overcoming a slight deficit on the final lap, overhauling Scott Van Asten to claim honours.