She has been a long-term campaigner for equality in women’s cycling, and British national road race champion Lizzie Armitstead was understandably delighted at news the Women’s Tour had been awarded 2.1 status by the UCI.

The race will roll out of Northamptonshire in May next year, and Olympic silver medallist Armitstead told RCUK she will be planning her season around her home race.

And with a busy 2014 schedule also containing the small matter of the Commonwealth Games and, of course, the World Championships, Armitstead is determined to bounce back from an illness-hit 2013.

Check out the full interview with Britain’s road racing queen, including her thoughts on the growth of women’s cycling, here.