OLYMPIC hero Bradley Wiggins heads the all-star line-up for the 20th Otley Town Centre Cycle Race on Wednesday evening.

Wiggins spends much of his time riding as a professional on the continent for the Credit Agricole team but he is a regular visitor to the popular event.

Wiggins has never won at Otley but he was second in 2003 and his presence adds to the attraction of a race which attracted a bumper crowd last summer of 4,000 people.

British Cycling were so impressed by last year's event that they have awarded Otley Cycle Club the honour of their Elite Race doubling as the Men's National Circuit Race Championship.

This will help ensure the appearance of the country's top riders who will be heading for North Yorkshire for the Men's National Elite Road Championships on Sunday, June 26.

Among the 87 riders entered is Jeremy Hunt (MrBookmaker.com), who like Wiggins, spends his time racing on the continent.

Chris Newton, who pipped Bradley Wiggins for first place in 2003, heads a strong Recycling.co.uk. Their line up includes Olympic medalist Rob Hayles, the Downing brothers Russell -- the 2002 winner -- and Dean, plus Paul Manning and Sean Snodden.

Another rider to watch is the 2003 Elite Circuit Series winner Simon Gaywood (CC Luton). This will be his second outing at Otley.

Ever successful Yorkshireman John Tanner (Planet X On One) and Julian Ramsbottom (De Rosa RT) are still going strong.

Other elite riders entered are Kristian House (Team Fujibikes), Nick Craig (Scott UK), Tom Southam (Team Barloworld/Valsir), Julian Winn (Pinarello RT) and Scott Gamble (Ashfield RC).

A young rider to watch is 2004 Senior Race winner and Richard Hepworth (Merlin Development). The talented junior will be riding a national championship and the Senior Race as well.

A Yorkshireman to watch is recently crowned 2005 Yorkshire Regional Road Race Champion Mark Wordsworth (JE James RT).

Host club Otley Cycle Club are represented by Sam Ward and race sponsors Team Chevin Cycles field last years first local rider Elliott Teal. Other local riders are Leeds rider John Oldridge (Airedale Olympic) and Pool-in -Wharefedale's Jeremy Robinson (Triangle RT).

The Senior Race has proved to be even more popular than last year with a record entry of 87 riders at closing date. Local riders include members of the current Race organising committee Mike Gill (Team Chevin Cycles) and Peter Middlebrooke (Otley CC). Otley CC's other rider is teacher Barry Mordue.

Chevin Cycles' shop manager Matthew Peacock will be attempting to win first Local Rider prize for the first time so that as a VIP sponsor on the podium he can present himself with the prize!

Other members of the Team Chevin squad include Jonathan Kennedy (First Local rider Senior Race 2003), David Gaunt and juvenile Stephen Jefferson.

Other riders to watch in the senior race are 2003 race winner David Stevens (Triangle RT) and Sporting Tours' Graham Baxter (CC Totana) flying in from Spain especially for the event.

Three ladies are also entered for the senior race -- Lorna Webb (Team Fat Birds UK), Claire Gross (Team Fat Birds UK) and junior Kimberley Blythe (Planet X On One).