THE UK's best will battle it out on the country lanes around Northwich on Saturday in the British Cycling National Paracycling Time Trial Championships.

Paralympic medallists and world champions will race trikes, handcycles, bicycles and tandems against the clock on a marshalled route through Wincham, Pickmere and Great Budworth.

Paul West , paracycling development officer for British Cycling, said: "Essentially these riders are the key players.

"Almost half the field here are either on the GB squad or on the development squad."

Riders include Rachel Morris, a multi Paralympic medallist and multi world champion, Brian Alldis, the Uk's top handcyclist and a regular on the world and European stage, and Simon Price, from the Great Britain squad.

The start list also features Rik Waddon, a multi Paralympic medallist in track cycling, Jaco van Gass, fresh from competing at the Invictus Games and Jonathan Gildea, who is the national paracycling pursuit champion following September's National Track Championships.

Saturday's event, organised by British Cycling and Weaver Valley Cycling Club, carries world ranking points and is seen as a key part of the initial progress towards the Rio Paralympics in 2016.

Paul said: "This is a big scoop for Northwich.

"People should come out and watch because it's the nation's best in terms of paracycling.

"It'll be a good morning out in the countryside with loads of viewing spots around the circuit so come and enjoy the spectacle and the experience."

There are six categories for the cyclists, including female trike, female handcycle, female bicycle, male handcycle, male bicyle and tandem.

Each of the riders has a time allowance depending on their disability.

Paul said: "The guys are very open about how they work with their disabilities and participate and it's all about the riders managing their disability rather than disability managing them."

The first rider will head out on the course at 9.30amwith the last rider starting soon after 10am.

The route includes Earles Lane, Pickmere Lane, Park Lane, Budworth Heath Lane, Belmont Road and the A559 Warrington Road.

Award presentations will take place at Wincham Village Hall, the event headquarters, at around 11.15am.