Thursday 24 March 2016 17:27, UK
The Tour de Yorkshire will become the most lucrative race in women's cycling next month - with more money on offer than in the men's race.
Britain's world champion Lizzie Armitstead has confirmed she will compete in a one-day race that is offering £50,000 in prize money, with £15,000 going to the women's winner - more than the men's champion.
Otley-born Armitstead, who currently tops the women's world rankings after a series of impressive wins this season, said: "The Tour de Yorkshire Women's race will be my first race in the UK in my world champion's jersey and it's an absolute dream to be starting in my home town."
Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: "Today is a hugely significant milestone for women's racing.
"We've come good on our promise to expand the women's race and rather than rest at bringing parity in terms of the men's route…we've gone further to offer the world's most lucrative prize fund.
"Together with our sponsors, we're bringing women's racing the respect it deserves and I can think of no better way to start our race in Otley than with our very own world champion on the start line."
The race begins in Otley at 8.30am Saturday 30 April, and the riders are expected to finish around 12.22pm in Doncaster.
The men's event, raced over three stages, runs from Friday 29 April until Sunday 1 May.
