LIZZIE Armitstead has won Yorkshire's most prestigious cycling honour for a second time.

The Otley professional has received the CA Rhodes Memorial award for her "outstanding victories in national and international road racing, culminating in the World Championship".

Also a winner in 2010, Lizzie is now alongside twice-honoured Jon Clay, Yvonne McGregor, Chris Newton and Kevin Dawson but they are all behind the legendary Beryl Burton, who triumphed in the inaugural year of 1961, as well as 1967, 1978 and 1983.

Lizzie's citation read: "Since then her burning ambition and Yorkshire determination have seen her scale new heights and she now reigns supreme as world number one in her chosen sphere.

"The year started well for Lizzie with stage wins and the overall in the Tour of Qatar.

"Other victories in major European and US events followed, as she regularly demonstrated her ability to snatch wins from small breakaway groups.

"In June, she came home and took an outstanding solo win in the National Road Race Championship, being unbeatable on the steep cobbled climb in Lincoln city centre.

"She then returned to international racing and, with victory in the GP de Plouay in August, she sealed victory in the season-long World Cup Series.

"September took Lizzie to the World Championships in Richmond, Virginia.

"Towards the end of a long and aggressive race with no remaining team support and a break up the road, victory seemed impossible.

"However, she displayed outstanding tactical ability to steal the lead in a final kilometre showdown, achieving a most deserved and popular win."

The citation concluded: "In the period since her previous C A Rhodes Award, Lizzie’s road race wins include the National Championship in both 2011 and 2013, the 2013 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 World Cup Series.

"She also took the silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics road race.

"By these achievements, Lizzie has achieved the objectives of the award, bringing exceptional honour to Yorkshire and raising the profile of women’s cycling."