ANNA van der Breggen, Chantal Blaak and Kirsten Wild have been named among a list of star riders set to compete at the 2018 Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race.

Van der Breggen - who competes for Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team - is the world’s No 1 rider and has been in sensational form this season, winning the prestigious Tour of Flanders, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne and Strade Bianche titles to add to her 2016 Olympic road race success.

Blaak (Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team) is the reigning world champion who triumphed at the Amstel Gold Race earlier this month, while Kirsten Wild (Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling) is a former Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race winner who took that title in Doncaster in 2016.

Two British Olympic gold medallists will also be present on the start line between 3-4 May. Katie Archibald (Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling) was part of Team GB’s triumphant team pursuit squad at Rio 2016 while Dani Rowe (Great Britain National Team) sealed her gold in the same event at London 2012.

Italian champion Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling), former world time trial champion Ellen Van Dijk (Team Sunweb) and 2016 La Course by Le Tour de France winner Chloe Hosking (Alé–Cipollini) are also scheduled to ride the newly expanded two-day event.

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity is proud to be bringing the world’s best talent to Yorkshire and believes their presence reflects how highly the Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race is regarded in professional cycling.

He said: “The Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race has cemented its place as one of the highest-profile races in the sport. The top riders in the world are not just attracted to the fact we’re able to offer one of the largest prize funds in the sport and full live TV coverage, it’s because they get to ride in front of massive crowds, receive a warm Yorkshire welcome, and the terrain provides a tough and varied test.

“With the race doubling in size from one day to two in 2018 we’re able to offer something for everyone, and our first-ever summit finish on the Cow and Calf is sure to guarantee a gripping conclusion.”

The Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race starts and finishes in the same towns as the opening two stages of the men’s race, with the women setting off in the morning and the men following in the afternoon. The routes also feature the same intermediate sprints and classified climbs and offer the same prize money.

Full details on the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire and Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race can be found at http://letouryorkshire.com