Armitstead excited for Tour de Yorkshire

The one-day race on Saturday starts in Armitstead's home town of Otley before concluding in Doncaster after following the same 136km route the men will tackle later in the same day.

Olympic silver medallist Armitstead won the world title in Richmond, USA last year and, while her focus is on the Olympic Games in Rio later this summer, the 27-year-old intends to figure prominently again on home soil this weekend.

"I never expected to compete at home in a UCI women's race - let alone as world champion," she told BBC Radio York.

"It's my first race in the UK in the rainbow jersey and it'll be wonderful.

"It's fantastic to have the opportunity to race at home so I wouldn't miss it.

"There will be plenty of my friends and family watching so I have extra motivation to put on a good show.

"Knowing the roads and the home support will give me an advantage - as well as being used to the Yorkshire weather that it sounds like we have in store for this weekend."

Sportsbeat 2016