THE 33rd staging of the Severn Bridge Road Race takes place on Sunday and looks all set to be one of the premier sporting events to hit the region so far this year.

The popular annual cycling marathon has become an institution with South West riders and bike fans alike over the years, and this year's race will be as competitive and frenzied as ever, with the race now considered to be one of the main early season events in the country.

The race is a 100km (63 mile) epic that involves ten laps of a looping circuit that is situated 12 miles to the north of Bristol.

Beginning at Olveston Sports and Social Club at 10am on Sunday morning, the race will take in some of the most scenic and picturesque sights on offer in South Gloucestershire, not to mention some of its steepest hills.

With a circuit that goes through Old Down, Alveston, Elberton, Olveston, Tockington and Old Down Hill, the race will finish at The Village Green in Old Down.

For those fans who enjoy watching the climax to cycle races, it is expected that the lead riders will hit the finishing post at approximately 12.30pm.

The annual event will host a top class field of riders that will include many elite and first category cyclists. The overall attendance stands at 60 riders.

Among the favourites for the race title is the 2002 British Road Race champion Julian Winn, who won last year's race by just over 40 seconds from his Pinarello team-mate Mike Jones.

The 32-year-old from Abergavenny took part in the Olympic Games last summer in Athens as a part of the Great Britain road race team and has been a prolific competitor over the years.

Despite suffering with an almost constant run of injuries that have ranged from flu and infections to broken bones, Winn will be looking to live up to his surname once again this year by taking the title.

L The Severn Bridge Road Race is one of the main early season races in England and is seen as the traditional curtain raiser in the cycling year.

The race is organised by Bristol Road Club and the event is held under the technical regulations of British Cycling.

Race headquarters for the day are to be situated at Olveston Sports and Social Club, the starting point for the epical challenge, and all enquiries on the big day should be made there.