Lizzie Armitstead focused on Rio rather than Women's Tour de Yorkshire
Friday 29 April 2016 11:47, UK
World champion Lizzie Armitstead has played down her chances of winning the Women's Tour de Yorkshire.
The 27-year-old insists she remains focused on the Olympics in Rio in August as she prepares to take to the startline in her hometown of Otley for the 135km route to Doncaster on Saturday.
She has already won the Women's Tour of Flanders, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche and Trofeo Alfredo Binda this year, but races in Great Britain colours this weekend after a week off the bike.
Armitstead said: "I'm excited about it. I'm proud, because I do think it's a result of the upsurge in popularity in Otley and I hope I've had a small part to play that.
"I'm lining up in support of that, rather than aiming to win it.
"It's difficult to have a week off your bike and go into one of these races that to the media, friends and family it's quite a big event - I have to focus on Rio."
