THERE will be a new race headquarters in place when the annual Jock Wadley Memorial Road Race takes place on Sunday.

The prestigious cycle race travels nine times around Abberton Reservoir south of Colchester.

At 10am, riders will roll out from the new Race HQ at The Army Reserve Centre, Circular Road East.

The total prize list this year has increased to £1,100 with £250 for the winner, following generous sponsorship from Kent Blaxill, Fenwick Colchester and Ray Ricks Consultancy.

Goody Burrett Solicitors have come on board once more and will provide food and drinks at the race finish area at Layer, using their old faithful VW motor caravan.

The race has attracted the usual top-class field headed by John Herety’s JLT Condor team and the all new Holdsworth Pro Racing team, managed by ex pro Dean Downing.

A number of other sponsored teams are included in the 80-rider selection, with particular interest in the Essex Richardsons Trek outfit.

George Wood will be hoping to improve on his third-place finish, two years ago.

This year is the 36th running of the Jock Wadley race and Kent Blaxill managing director Simon Blaxill, who is a keen cycling enthusiast himself said the company was delighted to be backing the event.

He said: “We are proud to be associated with such a prestigious race which attracts top cyclists from around the country and even abroad.

"Last year, riders attempted to break clear throughout, with the peloton coming together for a thrilling flat-out bunch sprint finish to the line.

"This is a super opportunity to see world class athletes compete and in 2017 triple Olympic cyclist, Ed Clancy, couldn’t hold his lead in the final metres and the race was won by elite cyclist Steele von Hoff from Belgium.

"In the past, the race has been won by young riders such as Luke Rowe and Jon Tiernan-Locke, who have gone on to ride for world class teams such as Sky so Kent Blaxill are very proud to again support an event which nurtures talent of this level.”