A STELLAR cast of cycling heroes are set to race in Northwich this month.

The Cheshire Classic Women's Road Race returns on Sunday, April 26, with Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists among the line-up alongside previous winners and a world gold medallist.

Race organiser Andy Wood, from Weaver Valley Cycling Club, said: "It is a fantastic line-up.

"Northwich is really going places and it's brilliant that we can attract such a quality field to the area.

"I hope people get out to watch the world's best talent on their doorstep."

Riders include Olympic gold medallists Laura Trott and Elinor Barker, from Matrix Fitness Vulpine, and Joanna Rowsell, from Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International.

Multi Paralympic gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey will race alongside fellow Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International teammate Katie Archibald, the 2014 Cheshire Classic winner and current world and European gold medallist.

Riders will be competing for an increased prize fund of £3,000 which includes the Delamere Dairy Sprint, Advanced Medical Solutions Team Prize and Your Sports Therapist Most Aggressive Rider competitions.

Andy said: "None of this would be possible without our amazing sponsors, Delamere Dairy, Advanced Medical Solutions, Taylor Wimpey, Wates Construction, LG Joinery and Your Sports Therapist, all of whom are either based locally or involved in developing new areas in Northwich.

"Thanks to our sponsors we have an incredible prize fund of £3,000, which is great for the development of women's cycling – to think that just three years ago the total prize fund was £500!"

The Cheshire Classic, organised by Weaver Valley Cycling Club, is the longest running event on the British Cycling National Series calendar.

Cyclists race through 12 laps of a 7.7km course through Weaverham and Acton Bridge, including the notorious climb, The Cliff, in Acton Bridge, where the finish line is located.

Racing starts at 9.30am.