Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis OBE will swap the track for a bike as she encourages women up and down the country to join her for the Pink Ribbon Tour.

The star will join a thousand women at the Breast Cancer Care cycling event in London on 11 June, which will help Breast Cancer Care be there for the thousands of people diagnosed with the most common cancer in the UK.

Breast Cancer Care Ambassador, Denise, is cycling 25km after losing her grandmother to the disease.

“I’ve had close family and friends affected by breast cancer, that is why I’m cycling in the first Pink Ribbon Tour in London on 11 June. There are only 1,000 places for women to take part in the 25km cycle which is on the same route as the professionals doing the Women’s Tour. Please join me, or hop on a bike and do your own cycle, on 11 June to help raise money for Breast Cancer Care.”

This year Breast Cancer Care is the official charity partner for The Women’s Tour – the most prestigious women’s cycling event in the world from 7 – 11 June, which will finish in London for the first time. The Pink Ribbon Tour will take place in the morning before the professionals take to the streets to complete the final stage of the tour.

The movement of women cyclists will help turn London pink as they enjoy the closed streets of the capital, taking in iconic sights including Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street. They will be invited to write a personal message on a ribbon, which can be added to the ribbon display in Trafalgar Square.

The Pink Ribbon Tour registration fee is £32.50 for women aged 18+, 16-17 year-old girls must be accompanied by an adult.

Cyclists will receive an event pack full of tips and advice to help them raise funds to support Breast Cancer’s Care vital free services.

For those who can’t get to London, Denise is asking everyone to join the cycling movement and organise their own event in their local community. To sign up for the Pink Ribbon Tour, or to arrange your own, go to www.breastcancercare.org.uk/pinkribbontour.