RideLondon Classique: Lizzie Deignan 'feeling stronger' as comeback continues, hoping to inspire next generation
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Updated 11/05/2023 at 13:52 GMT
Britain's Lizzie Deignan will be among the riders at the 2023 RideLondon Classique this month and says she is "feeling stronger" as her comeback continues. The former World road race champion returned to competitive action last month before taking part in La Vuelta Femenina. She now hopes to inspire the next generation of cyclists on home turf at the event in Essex and London from May 26-28.
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Lizzie Deignan says she hopes to inspire “the next generation of cyclists” in Great Britain after being confirmed for the RideLondon Classique.
The event, which runs from May 26-28, is the only World Tour-level race across men’s and women’s cycling to be held in the United Kingdom this year.
Deignan returned to competitive action last month at La Fleche Wallonne, finishing 88th in her first race since having her second child in September last year.
"I hope to be able to open the door to this fantastic sport to the next generation of cyclists," said Deignan.
Ride London is a three-stage event, with the opening two stages taking place in the county of Essex before a climactic finish in central London on the final day.
"The beautiful countryside of Essex and the iconic London stage finishing on The Mall promise to be packed with cycling enthusiasts,” Deignan added.
"I have some miles in my legs after an earlier-than-anticipated comeback, so I'm feeling strong for this race."
The former road World Championships and Paris-Roubaix winner admitted she was taken aback by news of the one-year suspension of the Women’s Tour in March.
The three-week event was due to begin in June in Warwickshire but was forced into a one-year hiatus for financial reasons.
"It seems like there's this massive influx of participation that hasn't translated into domestic racing,” Deignan said.
The 34-year-old Trek-Segafredo rider was in action at La Vuelta Femenina recently and finished 47th in the general classification.
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