The Chiron Diagnostics Grand Prix of Essex cycle race will take place on Sunday, March 21 over its usual gruelling course of 102 miles in and around Halstead will be the biggest ever seen in East Anglia.

This time there will be a massive field of 100 competitors battling it out to win Britain's first "classic" of the year and, thanks to the continuing support of the event's many prestigious sponsors, the prize list has been increased as well, to £1,600, a new record.

The 45th Grand Prix will have a real international flavour. Among the earliest entrants were three riders from New Zealand, one from Australia and one from Malta.

Of these, perhaps the most outstanding competitor will be the man who caught the headlines and finished third overall in Malaysia's recent Tour of Langkawi, Australian Alan Iacuone.

Alan is expected to lead a powerful squad of seven riders from the British-based Linda McCartney teams which are managed by former Tour de France hero, Sean Yates.

Apart from Olympic Champion Chris Boardman, Yates is the only other British rider to have worn the coveted Yellow Jersey as overall leader of the French marathon.

Yates will be grooming Iacuone or perhaps New Zealander Scott Guyton to take the Essex prize for the Linda McCartney outfit.

The foreign challenge will be met, however, by a whole array of seasoned British Internationals.

With entries still pouring in, the most notable UK representatives are national champion Matt Stephens from Crewe and three previous winners of the Grand Prix of Essex - Rob Hayles (from South-port), Wayne Randle (from Wakefield) and Julian Ramsbottom (from Scunthorpe) - and last year's runner-up - Kevin Dawson (from Doncaster).

Local riders hoping to shine among such stars will be Colchester's duo of upcoming Darrell Stile and his Angliasport team leader Gary Baker, together with Glendene CC's Andrew Elderfield (from Glemsford, Suffolk).

The Grand Prix will start at 10am on March 21 from the Ramsey School in Colne Road, Halstead.

The race will first cover three 28 mile circuits around the Halstead area, passing through the town's High Street and Market Hill once every hour.

It then switches to two laps of the traditional nine mile finishing circuit which culminates at the top of Market Hill, where a large crowd of spectators is anticipated for the finish around 2pm.

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