Deignan is lured back home by challenging Tour route

FORMER world champion Lizzie Deignan has confirmed she will race in next month’s Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire.

Deignan (nee Armitstead) is returning to the event for a second successive year after finishing 26th last time, when the race began in her home town of Otley.

The women’s event will take place on Saturday, April 29. The riders will compete over the same 122.5km route from Tadcaster to Harrogate as the second stage of the men’s race later that day.

The 2015 world champion finished on the same time as winner Kirsten Wild last year after her late attack was reeled in by the peloton.

The 28-year-old, who will compete with her Dutch-registered Boels-Dolmans team, says this year’s course, including the testing Côte de Lofthouse climb at the halfway point, could suit her.

“I’m really excited to be riding the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire again and am looking forward to being back on home turf,” said Deignan.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of racing between now and then, but I hope to be there in good form and able to make my mark on the race. It’s a more challenging route this year and that’s one of the great things about the Tour de Yorkshire, that we’re able to compete on the exact same roads as the men.”

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of race organisers Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “Lizzie is one of Yorkshire’s top cycling talents and we’re thrilled she’ll be taking part in the race.

“I’m proud of the fact we’re able to attract the world’s best cyclists due to the unique benefits our race can offer. It’s rare that female riders get to compete on the same course as their male equivalents and almost unprecedented that their races are broadcast in their entirety like this one will be on ITV4. Thanks to our great sponsors we’re able to offer a prize pot of £50,000 as well, which makes the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire one of the most lucrative in the sport.”

Last year’s men’s winner Thomas Voeckler has already confirmed he will defend his title.

The women’s event will start at 9:10am and the men at 2pm, with the races likely to finish in Harrogate at approximately 12:30pm and 5pm respectively.

Stage one of the men’s race is a 173km stage from Bridlington to Scarborough 24 hours earlier and it culminates with a 194.5km trek from Bradford to Fox Valley, Sheffield, on the Sunday.