Lizzie Deignan (nee Armitstead) is one of the star names lining up in Friday's Asda Women's Tour de Yorkshire. Cycling writer Matt Westcott speaks to her ahead of the start 

IT'S fair to say Lizzie Deignan is in a far better place this week than she was for a period of the last and not just because she will be back in her home county of Yorkshire.

Otley-born Deignan, better known under her maiden name of Armitstead, is set to compete at the Asda Women's Tour De Yorkshire on Saturday with her Boels-Dolmans team.

In 2016 she was the subject of much scrutiny, both within and outside the sport of cycling, after news of three missed drugs tests became public.

She faced the very real prospect of a multi-year ban from the sport she has excelled at on the world stage under the three-strikes rule.

Deignan, married to fellow pro cyclist, Philip Deignan, successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and was able to compete at the Rio Olympics.

Her critics remained and though a recently published autobiography gave her the chance to have her say, she admits it's been tough to come to terms with.

The Northern Echo: The autobiography of Otley's Lizzie Deignan – nee Armitstead – is out tomorrow   Picture: Blink Publishing/PA Wire

"I have always had a thick skin," she says. "I am used to criticism. Being a professional athlete you are analysed or criticised every time you race.

"What I wasn't used to was the criticism of my character rather than my performance and that was of course very difficult."

Deignan's book, Steadfast, is bound to be a best-seller, but she says she has steered clear of much of the analysis in the press.

"I haven't read too much in terms of book reviews. I made an intentional decision not to do that," she says. "I am happy with everything written in the book, so I want to leave it there.

"I enjoyed the process of writing the book as it brought back so many memories. It was also good to write down the events of summer 2016 so that I can move on from it knowing that I have been able to tell my own account of what happened."

Deignan says her goals this year are "totally different" from last.

"Last year was all geared towards Rio and being a better climber," she says. "I have enjoyed this year as I have been able to focus on my strengths and spend less time chasing those elusive climbing legs!

"This time last year I had more wins to my name, but I think this year will be as successful overall by the time the season ends."

Deignan has had a couple of second-place finishes in the run-up to this weekend and is feeling confident ahead of the 122.5km test.

"I'm really happy that my 'good' legs finally showed up this last week," she says. "It has taken a little longer this season due to illness and injury. My form seems to have arrived just in time to be able to have a good result in the Tour de Yorkshire.

"It fits in really well at the end of the spring campaign, we have just finished a really hard Ardennes week of racing which has been perfect preparation. I will take a short break at home with family after the race."

The Northern Echo: CYCLING Deignan

Deignan is hoping the spectators that will throng the route will spur her on to success.

"The home crowd always gives you an advantage," she says. "I don't know the roads exactly, but I plan to do a recon before the race. I know the terrain well in Yorkshire, I don't expect to be surprised by anything. Wherever you go it's always painful but beautiful!

"I am experienced enough now to be able to put the nerves aside and enjoy an occasion like the Tour de Yorkshire. I don't want to block out the atmosphere. I want to soak it up and use it to my advantage. I always thrive on pressure."

Importantly for Deignan, the course takes the very same route the men will follow on day two of their race.

"I want to showcase women's cycling at its best," she says. "We need a full distance stage to do this. I am happy that Tour de Yorkshire are setting a precedent for how a professional women's race should be organised."

Though there will be some tough competition in a stellar field, Deignan says she and her team-mates have their eyes firmly on the prize.

"My chances and the team's chances are really high. We come in off the back of three major wins, so our confidence is sky high and so is our fitness," she says. "As a team, a challenging aggressive race suits our style the best, and I think the Tour de Yorkshire offers that. Of course we always want to win."

At 28, Deignan has hinted she may consider retiring after the World Championships which are back in her home county in 2019. For now though, such talk seems a long way away.

"I would love to win another road world title, but I won't judge the season a success or not if I don't manage it," she says. "I will be happy if I compete another season as one of the best in the world and head into 2018 as motivated as I am now."