LIZZIE Deignan is set to race in Saturday's women's World Road Race Championship just three weeks after having her appendix removed.

The 28-year-old Otley rider had been favourite to repeat her 2015 win in Richmond Virginia, before she was taken ill.

Deignan said this week: "Victory for me is the start line, everything else is a bonus.

"I am heading to Norway grateful for another opportunity to represent Great Britain."

Deignan will lead a strong Great Britain team which includes Elinor Barker, Alice Barnes, Hannah Barnes, Dani King, Mel Lowther and Hayley Simmonds.

The course in Bergen is hilly and it will be a real test for Deignan so soon after undergoing surgery, but she is a fighter and her army of fans back home will be hoping she can pull off another stunning performance.

The race in Bergen promises to be a gruelling test for the riders

Deignan didn't feature when her Dutch professional team Boels Dolman finished second in Saturday's team time trial

Before the 28-year-old was taken ill at the beginning of the month, she was one of the favourites to win and defend her title at the race in Bergen.

Olympic Track champion Elinor Barker, who is part of the British team, has been helping Deignan train and improve her confidence. Barker seems hopeful Lizzie will triumph.

The Olympic silver medalist will hopefully be leading the Great Britain team to victory in the race on Saturday.

Over her cycling career Deignan has won many competitions such as Tour de Flanders, Strade Bianche and overall victory of in the Aviva Women's Tour. She is also a member of the international women's cycling team the Boels Dolmans who, helped by Lizzie, won the UCI ranking in 2016.