Women's world road race preview: Lizzie Deignan looks to defend title

Lizzie Deignan (left) is the defending women's world road race champion

Lizzie Deignan will bid to defend the rainbow jersey in the elite women’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Qatar on Saturday.

The 27-year-old became only the fourth British woman in history to win the world road race 12 months ago but faces a big ask to repeat the feat on a flat course suited to sprinters.

Here is everything you need to know about the race…

World Championships guide

Day-by-day companion to the racing

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE?

The action will get underway at 10.45am BST and is scheduled to finish at about 2.20pm BST.

THE COURSE

The race takes place on a flat, 134.5km course in Doha. It starts at the Qatar Foundation, in the west of the city, and ends on The Pearl Qatar island.

There are no climbs and although the wind could be a factor, a bunch sprint is the most likely finish.

Here is the map of the course…

HOW TO FOLLOW THE RACE

Join our live blog from 12pm BST.

THE FAVOURITES

Kirsten Wild (Netherlands)

Wild has been the No 1 sprinter in the world this year and should be the rider to beat. She has six sprint wins to her name in 2016, including one in Doha at February's Tour of Qatar. The 33-year-old will also be supported by a powerful Dutch team.

Sky Bet odds: 6/1

Kirsten Wild has been the most potent sprinter of the season

Chloe Hosking (Australia)

Hosking announced herself as one of the best sprinters in the world this year by winning La Course by Le Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees and also won a stage of the Tour of Qatar in Doha. She is one of the most powerful sprinters in the peloton and could be tough to beat in a bunch sprint.

Sky Bet odds: 5/1

Jolien D'hoore (Belgium)

D'hoore has enjoyed a good season in the sprints, with the last of four wins coming at the Madrid Challenge in September. It would be a surprise if she isn't in contention.

Sky Bet odds: 5/1

Marianne Vos is a three-time former world road race champion

Marianne Vos (Netherlands)

Vos' seven sprint wins make her the most prolific sprinter of the season, but she could end up playing a supporting role given that Wild is a faster finisher and has great form. However, if the peloton fractures in the closing stages, Vos is the best bet from the Dutch team to make it into a breakaway group and, from there, she is likely to be one of the quickest sprinters.

Sky Bet odds: 7/1

Lizzie Deignan (Great Britain)

Like Vos, Deignan's best chance also appears to be splitting up the peloton and then winning from a late breakaway. Her sprint is competitive is such scenarios, which she proved when winning last year's world title, but she will need to time it perfectly. If Deignan cannot break away, she could struggle to compete with the likes of Wild and Hosking in a bunch finish.

Sky Bet odds: 25/1

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PAST WINNERS

2015: Lizzie Deignan (GB)
2014: Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Fra)
2013: Marianne Vos (Ned)
2012: Marianne Vos (Ned)
2011: Giorgia Bronzini (Ita)
2010: Giorgia Bronzini (Ita)
2009: Tatiana Guderzo (Ita)
2008: Nicole Cooke (GB)
2007: Marta Bastianelli (Ita)
2006: Marianne Vos (Ned)

Deignan celebrates winning the rainbow jersey last year

SELECTED TEAMS AND RIDERS

Australia: Tiffany Cromwell, Gracie Elvin, Katrin Garfoot, Chloe Hosking, Lauren Kitchen, Loren Rowney, Sarah Roy.

Belgium: Sofie De Vuyst, Valerie Demey, Jolien D'hoore, Lotte Kopecky, Kaat Van Der Meulen, Anisha Vekemans.

France: Aude Biannic, Audrey Cordon, Coralie Demay, Eugenie Duval, Roxane Fournier, Pascale Jeuland-Tranchant.

Germany: Lisa Brennauer, Romy Kasper, Lisa Klein, Mieke Kroger, Stephanie Pohl, Trixi Worrack.

Great Britain: Lizzie Deignan, Alice Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Dani King, Laura Massey, Annasley Park, Abby-Mae Parkinson.

Italy: Marta Bastianelli, Giorgia Bronzini, Elena Cecchini, Maria Giulia Confalonieri, Barbara Guarischi, Tatiana Guderzo, Elisa Longo Borghini.

Netherlands: Chantal Blaak, Roxane Knetemann, Amy Pieters, Anna van der Breggen, Ellen van Dijk, Annemiek van Vleuten, Marianne Vos, Kirsten Wild.

Poland: Eugenia Bujak, Marta Lach, Katarzyna Niewiadoma, Katarzyna Pawlowska, Anna Plichta, Alicja Ratajczak.

Sweden: Emilia Fahlin, Emma Johansson, Sara Mustonen-Lichan, Alexandra Nessmar, Sara Penton.

United States: Allie Dragoo, Megan Guarnier, Amber Neben, Coryn Rivera, Alexis Ryan, Carmen Small, Lauren Stephens.

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