When the world’s best women cyclists race into the centre of Worcester this summer, don’t be too surprised to see one of them, in red and blue, out ahead.

Hayley Simmonds is a rider for the British team WNT-Rotor Pro cycling, and while best known as a time-triallist, if she can escape the Women’s Tour of Britain peloton and ride solo into the city it will be even more special than just any old victory in of one the most prestigious races in the women’s calendar.

Because Dr Simmonds (she has a doctorate in chemistry from Cambridge) is from Worcestershire; born in Redditch she grew up in Kidderminster but attended King’s School, Worcester for her secondary education.

The 29-year-old said: “That would be something really special. Organisers and host cities like to put finishes near the most famous sights, so I’m sure we’ll be riding across the bridge and near the Cathedral, just near where I went to school, so that would be great.

“I really enjoyed my time at King’s School, and I've been invited back before to talk about my career as a cyclist, so I’d really hope some pupils come out to cheers us on - that’s happened in other towns and cities where we’ve raced.”

Unfortunately, the fact that the race starts and finishes in Worcestershire doesn’t give Dr Simmonds that much of an advantage: she was a rower while at school here and only took up cycling seriously when she went to university in Cambridge.

Dr Simmonds said: “I do train around here when I come to visit my mum, and I know the roads from being driven around as a child..

"We’re still looking at my calendar because there’s a couple of other big stage races around the same time, but when I saw the launch and the stage that finishes in Worcester, and also one in Snowdonia the next day, I did really fancy it.”

As a twice UK national time trial champion, Dr Simmonds hasn’t always been favoured by the course of the Women’s Tour. She said: “Normally it’s been quite a sprinter’s course, so I’ll probably be riding to help our sprinters – but if there’s a couple of hills I can try and escape on during the Worcester stage or the Snowdonia one, I will probably try and have a go.”

The Ovo Energy Women’s Tour starts on 13 June and its penultimate stage will start in the south of Worcestershire in Wychavon district, and finish in the city centre on Saturday 16 June.