One of the country’s top cyclists has said she cannot wait to tackle next month’s inaugural Women’s Tour after sampling the streets of Suffolk.

Emma Trott joined members of the Matrix Fitness Vulpine cycling team, event sponsors and councillors today for a 10-mile ride along the route around Bury St Edmunds that will mark the climax of the eagerly anticipated road race.

Riders of all ages and abilities set off from Rattlesden at about 11am, making their way through Gedding before reaching the Angel Hill just before midday.

Ms Trott - the older sister of Team GB Olympic track cycling gold medallist Laura - will be racing for the Dutch Boels Dolmans team, which will start as one of the favourites for the team crown.

The 24-year-old said she was viewing the inaugural Women’s Tour as one of the biggest races of the year, given the sponsorship and coverage it has been afforded, with the five-day, five-stage event attracting deals similar to the men’s Tour of Britain.

Having breezed through yesterday’s ride through the Suffolk countryside, she said: “It’s beautiful here, it feels very English. You’ve got the nice old buildings, the cathedral. Not many countries still have their heritage like we do.

“There’s going to be a lot of activities going on - not just the race. That’s important because the only way to grow the sport is to make it accessible. It’s a different feeling seeing the best cyclists in the world - and they really are the best - racing past.”

The race starts on Wednesday, May 7, and comes to the region on Friday as stage three runs from Felixstowe to Clacton.

It will then conclude on Sunday, May 11 on the final stage from Harwich to Bury.

To find out more visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk