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.

When asked whether sexism in cycling is still prevalent, she responded: “Yes. We are still fighting for more races, we are still fighting for more coverage, more budget, more sponsors. We are still a long way behind the men.”

The Tour de Yorkshire got under way today and, though the event pays both sexes equally, Deignan questioned why the women’s race will end tomorrow when the men’s concludes on Sunday.

She added: “Don’t get me wrong, the fact that we have a huge prize pot is great and it’s great that it’s the same as the men, but I would prefer to get to race for four days.”