IT’S back to work for Lizzie Armitstead on Saturday as she takes to the start line for the women’s Tour de Yorkshire.

And the streets of her home town of Otley will be packed with her admirers as she bids to capture the £15,000 first prize in the race to Doncaster.

The 27-year-old has been enjoying a short break to recharge her batteries after a stunning start to the season which brought her four top victories.

And it will be a proud moment for her as she rides out of Otley sporting the famous rainbow jersey which is awarded to the world road race champion.

She said: “The Tour de Yorkshire Women’s race will be my first race in the UK in my World Champions jersey and it’s a dream to be starting in my home town and to be introduced as the reigning world champion!

“It’s not often I get to compete with friends and family watching, it gives me extra motivation to do them proud and put on a good show”

Saturday’s race is another step along the road to Rio where Armitstead will be looking to go one better than she did at London in 2012 and take gold.

Her defeat in a sprint finish by the Dutch great Marianne Vos has certainly inspired her to great things.

In 2014 she took Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow and won the UCI women’s World Cup, while last year she retained the World Cup as well as winning the World Championship.

Armitstead, who will be riding in a Great Britain team rather than with her Dutch Boels Dolmans outfit, is the one everybody will want to beat on Saturday.

Local knowledge and Armitstead’s supreme confidence make her a hot favourite but she is playing down talk of victory.

She said: “To be honest I am not expecting to win, much to the disappointment of a lot of people I am sure – especially locally.

“I have taken a small break after a busy spring of racing and have been busy with other commitments this week so I am just looking forward to enjoying being able to race on home soil."

The race has attracted a strong field and one her rivals, Wiggle High5 rider Dani King says she would love to help Armitstead win Olympic gold in Rio later this year.