THE Ramsbottom Rake returns this weekend with organisers hoping to cash in on the area’s cycling popularity and attract a big crowd to watch the race.

The event, an annual climb up the famous hill, has attracted more than 100 entries with riders set to tackle the 875-metre effort up the Rake.

And, with Bury’s Simon Yates having claimed the Vuelta title last month and the World Championship course in Austria last week including a climb compared by many to the Rake, the race is set to prove a popular affair.

Duncan Smith, the secretary of the organising Lancashire Road Club, said there was a ‘buzz’ surrounding cycling in the area.

He said: “After Simon Yates’ win in Spain there is a real cycling buzz around Ramsbottom.

“The event is run over the same course as usual which is straight up the Rake.

“The first rider will be off at 12.01pm with the final rider departing at 2pm.

“We have had pretty much the same number of entries as last year and this year will have 19 female riders which is good to see. That number continues to grow year on year.

“We pay equal prize money for both the winning male and female of £100 and we also have prizes for juvenile (16-18) riders and juniors as well as a team prize.”

Defending national hill climb champion Dan Evans is the favourite to lift the title and become the first recipient of the Frank Douglas Cup which organisers will present to the winner.

He is the last rider off while his wife Jessica will be among the contenders for the female victory.

Defending champion Fiona Burnie returns to try and retain her title while Lancashire Road Club’s Erica Booth is also a contender.

Bury Clarion’s Francis Woodcock is favourite for the juvenile prize and also harbours overall hopes while Kieran Wynne-Cattanach is another tipped to challenge.

The event, which starts at the library in the town centre, climbs towards Lumb Carr Road near to the Shoulder of Mutton pub.

The Rake is among the steepest climbs in the country and features a section at 25 per cent meaning it drew comparisons to the Holl climb which featured in the road world championships in Innsbruck last weekend.

That ascent topped out at 28 per cent and saw plenty of the leading contenders struggle.

Smith added: “The only way you can really get a feel for how steep the climb is is by getting the road and riding up it.

“The one in the world championship looked incredibly hard and the Rake is a really tough challenge.”

The climb has hosted the national championships in the past - most recently in 2012 - and although it has missed out on staging the race in 2020 organisers are planning to apply to host it in 2023 to mark the centenary anniversary of Lancashire Road Club.