LIZZIE DEIGNAN said today that sexism remains a problem in cycling and is at a loss to explain why the women’s race in this year’s Tour de Yorkshire lasts only two days when the men’s event spans four days.

The 29-year-old will not be defending her crown in her home county this year as she is expecting her first child with husband and Team Sky rider Philip Deignan.

But the Otley-born Deignan, who won silver at the London 2012 road race and a world title under her maiden name Armitstead, is a prominent voice in the push for equality.