A NUMBER of local riders will test themselves in the challenging Three Peaks Cycle-Cross race from Helwith Bridge on Saturday.

This will be the 44th annual running of the event and organiser John Rawnsley has ridden in all 43 of the previous years and is down to start this one.

This is regarded as the toughest Cyclo-Cross race in the UK and takes in the three peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent.

The race starts at Helwith Bridge near Settle at 10 am with the ladies, veterans and juniors setting out 30 minutes earlier.

Riders are expected to finish the 38 mile race between 1 pm and 3.45 pm.The entries include last year's winner Rob Jebb of Wheelbase/Ron Hill and he has ridden in 11 previous Three Peaks races winning the last four, there being no race in 2001 due to the foot and mouth outbreak.

Dan Bordoley of the Leeds and Bradford Tri Club will be riding in his first Three Peaks as will Skyrac AC's Robert Weston.

Phil Wilson of Otley's Team Chevin Cycles will be riding his 11th Three Peaks having a great ride last year to finish 22nd while Ilkley's Team Marie Cure/JD Cycles have Antony Greiff riding for the fourth time and Jason Harden for a second time.

Otley Cycle Club have Donald Buffham in the veterans 40-49 years event for the first time with Nigel Brown riding for a fourth time, Ian Cullen is well experienced with this his 15th event while Michael Hopkinson has the experience of a previous ride as has William Turner while Philip Mason is another Otley rider with plenty of experience of the race having ridden it on 11 previous occasions.

Team Chevin have Gerard Mallinson in this category riding for a third time.

Team Marie Curie/JD Cycles have John Hargreaves riding for a second time, three times winner Chris Young for an 11th time and Graham Bird for a fifth time.

Unattached rider Andrew Flaxman of Ilkley will be making his first attempt at the race.

Race organiser John Rawnsley appears in the vets over 60 section and the Bradford RCC/Lynn Motors rider will be hoping to continue his record of having competed in every Three Peaks Race with 43 previous appearances. He won the first ever race back in 1961.

In the women's race Team Marie Curie/JD Cycles rider Heather Dawe will be riding for a fifth time. She finished third lady last year with an excellent ride.

Louise Robinson of Stourbridge has won the ladies title for the past three years.