RAMSBOTTOM will once again play host to some of the country’s best cyclists when Lancashire Road Club stages its famous Rake hill climb on Sunday.

The event, which dates back more than 60 years, is regarded as one of the richest yard-for-yard races in the cycling calendar since the fastest rider to climb the gruelling 947 yards will take little more than two minutes to net the coveted first prize of £400 which has been donated by Geoff Smith’s Cycles of Bolton.

A combination of factors, including a clash of events, forced the cancellation of last year’s Rake. But it remains as popular as ever with the last four British men’s hill climb champions, the current women’s champion, and the British team champions among a record 70-plus entries who will take on the hill that starts at Carr Street and rises at an average one-in-six gradient to the finish in Chapel Lane, Holcombe.

Birmingham’s Matt Clinton, the 2008 winner, will face stiff competition from Bristol’s James Dobbin, who won the race in 2006 and 2007, and Jim Henderson from Southport, who won his sixth Rake title in 2005.

Much of the local interest will focus on Lancs RC rider Caroline Leighton — a former winner of the women’s event — but she faces stiff competition from the current British champion, Lyn Hamel from Cumbria.

With the help of sponsorship from Bury Council, Lancs RC are offering special prizes this year with £100 on offer to the first rider to beat the existing course record of 2mins 14secs, a £50 incentive for the first woman to beat the current record of 3mins 12secs and prizes to any woman, junior or any tandem riders who complete the course.

As is customary, roads will be closed at the venue from 11.45am to 1.15pm and big crowds are expected with competitors being drawn from all over the country.

“We have to thank the residents of Ramsbottom,” said Lancs RC secretary Peter Graham.

“The hill climb looks like being more popular than ever this year and we are grateful to the locals for their co-operation and help in making it such a success.”