LIZZIE Armitstead’s World Championship triumph has only just sunk in – this week she may have a Sportswoman of the Year award to come to terms with as well.

The Otley cyclist joins Jessica Ennis-Hill, Charlotte Dujardin, Lizzy Yarnold, Rachel Atherton and Bianca Walkden on the shortlist for the main prize at the Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen Awards tomorrow evening.

Televised on Sky Sports 1 and Sky 1, the award celebrates the best of women’s sport, and our Lizzie could be the star of the show.

That’s largely thanks to the 26-year-old’s stunning victory at the UCI World Road Championships in September.

On that occasion, she mounted a late charge over the 130km course in Richmond, Virginia, securing her crown by a wheel in a sprint finish.

Despite already having Commonwealth gold and Olympic silver medals to her name, Armitstead admits that moment changed her life forever.

She said: “Crossing the line in Virginia was really strange – I’d not prepared for it and it was a bit like falling off a cliff

“I was so focused on the process, the hard work and the tactical stuff going on in the race that I’d not even considered what it might be like to cross the line.

“I’m prepared for everything I do – just not that feeling. It was an absolute shock.

“You don’t dare to dream about the celebrations because you need everything to go right for you on the day.

“It took a while after that for it all to sink in. You’re just so busy from the moment you cross the line and your time isn’t your own for a couple of days.”

A return to her Yorkshire roots was the perfect way to find a little normality and reflect on what she had achieved.

“For me it didn’t really hit home until I got to see my friends and my family back in Otley,” Armitstead added.

“Riding in my bike in my new kit will be another realisation of what I’ve done.”

She continued: “Everyone is watching the world championships in cycling, whether they are there or not. You’re aware of that attention surrounding the event.

“I switched off from that in the weeks running up to it. If you worry too much about other people – whether it’s negative or positive support – you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Ultimately, I’m doing it for me.

“It’s obviously good to have people there supporting you but the responsibility and the motivation has to come from yourself.

“From a media perspective, you get thrown in it a little bit as well.

“Winning a silver medal at the Olympics immediately changed my media commitments and raised my profile, and this has done that again.

“But it’s not something I have ever found a burden – it’s not what I strive for or why I do it, but I enjoy the things that come with success.”