The cream of Great Britain's racing cyclists will be descending on Halstead and its surrounding villages this weekend for the Grand Prix of Essex.

The 46th edition of this famous race will be fought out this Sunday (March 19) over 102 gruelling miles and, such is the importance of the First UK Classic of the New Millennium, that riders from all corners of the country have been scrambling to gain acceptance into the select field of 100 competitors.

Brand new co-sponsor Cycleweb.co.uk has joined long-term backers Bayer (formerly Chiron) Diagnostics as the main sources of funding, alongside Halstead Town Council, Braintree District Council, Midland Bank (now known as HSBC) and G & D Plumbing & Heating.

Sheffield's Chris Walker returns to defend the trophy he won so convincingly in 1999, when he was backed by the powerful Linda McCartney team, but as a single-sponsored rider for Mortimer Charles he will have his work cut out to succeed again.

Four other previous winners of the Grand Prix will also take part, Wayne Randle (1993 and 1996) from Wakefield, Julian Ramsbottom (1995) from Scunthorpe, Rob Hayles (1997) from Southport and Britain's former No 1 Chris Newton (1998) from Stockton.

These seasoned internationals will doubtless be in the thick of the action once again, alongside the likes of 1999 National Champion John Tanner (Doncaster) who rode so magnificently last year to finish seventh after suffering three separate punctures, Leek's Mark Lovatt (second overall in the 1999 Premier calendar) and two British Best All-rounders, Kevin Dawson (Doncaster) and Gethin Butler (Preston).

Local interest will centre on Essex 'evergreen' Gary Baker (Colchester), the Eastern Counties Champion with six wins to his credit last season, and his professional Angliasport Team, from which Andy Profitt could emerge the strongest.

The only other Eastern England competitors likely to shine are Leigh-on-Sea's Andy Lyons (the runner-up in 1997), Harlow's Darren Barclay and Tom Wood, 18, from Cambridge, the youngest rider in the field.

There will also be National teams from Linda McCartney/Wales (led by youthful Huw Pritchard) and Scotland, plus Alsager-Adidas (alias Britain's World Class Performance Plan squad -- each of whom receives National Lottery funding).

One surprising individual entry is that of the current World Veterans Road and Track Champion, Ian Hallam, MBE, the former double Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist who in 1999 made an amazing return to the sport at 50 years of age and proved that he was still a world beater.

A full list of the competitors and their teams can be viewed by visiting the Grand Prix website on www.cycleweb.co.uk/GPSX and a potted history of the classic race is also displayed.

Starting at 10am from the Ramsey School in Colne Road, Halstead, the Grand Prix will follow three 28 mile circuits through Bulmer Tye, the Hedinghams, Wethersfield, Shalford and Gosfield, returning up Market Hill in Halstead each time, before commencing two laps of the traditional nine mile finishing circuit via Braintree Corner, Gosfield and Petersfield's Lane to the chequered flag in Market Hill at around 2pm.

Good vantage points are on the climb between Castle Hedingham and High Street Green, on the hill beyond Codham Mill (between Shalford and Beazley End) and, in the finishing straight on Halstead's tough Market Hill, where a full race commentary will be provided throughout the Grand Prix.

The first three finishers will be presented to the Mayor of Halstead, Councillor Barbara Carr, in Market Hill, and the winner will receive his bouquet from Lynne Buckley-Saxon (representing Cycleweb.co.uk and her Castle Hedingham cycle shop).

Race programmes will be available on the day from the publicity team manned by the Halstead Branch of St John Ambulance both at the start at Ramsey School and subsequently in Market Hill; beforehand.

Copies may be obtained from Halstead Library, Frank Smith & Sons (Mens Outfitters) and Karl Lindekam (Hairstylist), all situated in the High Street, and from Buckley-Saxon Cycles.

The Essex Police have requested that motorists do not park overnight on Market Hill, where barriers will be erected around 7am on the Sunday (along with race furniture and the photofinish equipment).

Restricted parking will operate in the High Street and Market Hill throughout the morning and until after the Grand Prix has finished; the Police expect the road to be clear by 2.30pm.

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