It didn't take Nathan Smith long to get comfortable in his second Tour de Moore.

On a hot, windy day Smith, from Mt. Pleasant, SC, broke from the pack early and then out dueled Kris Stein in a sprint to the finish to capture the 30+ Masters race in the Tour de Moore.

Entering the race's final 200 yards Smith powered past Stein with a quick burst and coasted across the finish line smiling, arms raised above his head.

Race conditions were difficult thanks to temperatures in the low 90s and a stiff breeze that was in the riders' faces as they headed back to Southern Pines and the finish line.

Despite the conditions Smith made a break for it early and Stein followed along with two other riders.

"We had a solid four guys working away together the last 60 miles and (we) just put our heads down and kept going and going," Smith said.

"We were pretty much away (from the pack) early," Stein said. "We both had teammates back in the pack so we knew those guys weren't going to let anyone get a run on us."

Smith, 31, who races for the Lenova team, finished back in the pack during last year's race. He said this year the weather conditions affected him late.

"I was cramping pretty bad the last 5 K (3.1 miles)," Smith said. "I wasn't sure if I was going to make it to the finish line."

With a little more than a mile left in the race, Smith decided to make a move. He surged ahead and Stein was the only rider to come with him. The two battled back and forth until the final 200 yards.

Stein, 34, of Raleigh, who races for the Endurance Magazine team, credited Smith for being the better rider Saturday.

"When we got to two, I figured I'd give it a go, but Nathan just beat me in the sprint," Stein said.

Stein's finish was his best in five Tour de Moore races.

Defending race champion Chris Harkey, a three-time winner of the Tour de Moore, did not participate in this year's race.

In the 40+ Masters race Charlie Brown with the Carolina Masters team finished first followed by Gordon Stiel (Standard Pacfic) and Mark Jelious.

Charles Jerabee took first place in the 50+ masters race. Barney Baxter was second followed by John Allen.

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2477 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.