In it’s 61^st year, the event still holds a reputation as one of the most prestigious handicap road events still staged in NSW.

A field of 130 riders will start on Saturday with racing from 12.30pm while 120 have signed up for Sunday’s race. 

The start and finish line will be on Old Temora Road (eight kilometres out of town) with riders following a picturesque course past early flowering canola. 

The course is not easy, starting on a downhill but riders will have to climb for most of the final 25km. 

By the end of the race, riders will have covered 117km with Sunday’s race distance being 60km.

This year, eight international riders from New Zealand will participate, most starting from scratch. 

These riders are all under 19 years and are using the Cootamundra Annual as a pre-curser to  the Tour of King Valley in Wangaratta. 

It is expected these riders may be among the first finishers on the day. 

“They will certainly be ready to race,” Cootamundra Cycle Club president Mark Loiterton commented this week. 

Meanwhile, former local Brendan Cooper will be back in town from the Sunshine Coast to take part, starting from bunch six. 

Cooper is a former winner of two Stock Fair races and placed in the Haycarters this year. 

Son of Rodney Crowe, Dean Crowe, will represent the Sutherland Cycle Club and start from bunch eight. 

Sophie Mackay will be one to watch for the first female title. 

From Wagga, Mackay finished first in the 2016 Australian Criterium Championship. 

Brent Louttit is the only Cootamundra Cycle Club rider to participate meaning he has the first local title sewn up. 

Loiterton said the lack of local riders is put down to an emphasis on mountain biking coming from Cootamundra cyclists at present. 

Meanwhile, the St George Cycle Club will be well represented come Saturday with 15 riders. 

Motorists can expect some temporary road closures on Saturday and Sunday. 

With a majority of riders from out of town, the annual event provides a welcome economic boost to Cootamundra.