Armitstead, Trott, King and Rowsell head British hopes at Women's Tour

A world-class field will descend on Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday as the Aviva Women's Tour rolls out of the brewery town, with reigning world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot scheduled to be on the startline.

The French rider will undergo a late medical check to ensure she is fit to ride for her Rabo-Liv, who are without reigning champion Marianne Vos through injury.

On the domestic front, Lizzie Armitstead and national champion Laura Trott will lead the field for Boels-Dolmans and Matrix Fitness respectively, while fellow Olympic medalists Dani King and Joanna Rowsell will also be present.

For Trott the race will be a chance to hone her fitness ahead of the defence of her British champion's jersey in Lincoln on June 28.

Trott will be joined by 10 other national champions, including Sweden's Emma Johansson, who won last year's opening stage in Northampton.

This year's race takes in Suffolk, Essex, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire in its five stages, with highlights of the race to be shown on ITV4.

Stage One: Wednesday 17 June, Bury St Edmunds to Aldeburgh

Stage Two: Thursday 18 June, Braintree to Clacton

Stage Three: Friday 19 June, Oundle to Kettering

Stage Four: Saturday 20 June, Waltham Cross to Stevenage

Stage Five: Sunday 21 June, Marlow to Hemel Hempstead

Lizzie Armitstead targeting World Championships success