A HEREFORDSHIRE cyclist says it will be a dream to compete at the World Cycling Championships on Saturday alongside some of the world's greatest riders.

Annasley Park, from Eardisley, will be taking part in the road race in Doha, Qatar, which will feature reigning champion Lizzie Deignan (née Armitstead) and Hannah and Alice Barnes.

"It will be first World Road Race and I'm really excited," said Park.

"This time last year, I never thought I would be competing at the top level.

"I thought maybe I would complete one UCI race this year, so it will be an absolute dream and honour to ride with some great people.

"It will be between 35 and 40 degrees and I struggle in the heat.

"But we've got some good equipment and clothing to help us acclimatise to it."

Park has been selected by British Cycling to be on their senior academy programme for the forthcoming year, with the ultimate target being the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The former Hereford Sixth Form College student said it would be amazing if she competed at the Olympics and was inspired by the success that the British cyclists achieved at Rio.

"It was amazing and I watched every track race and the road race," she said.

"The road race didn't go according to plan, but they are such an inspiration.

"I knew they would get the results, but never to that extent."

Park added that she is best suited to road racing, but hasn't ruled out competing on the track.

"I'm looking towards the road because I'm not that great at sprinting, I'm definitely more of an endurance cyclist," said Park.

"It would be a dream to be there [Tokyo] and everything is geared towards that.

"The short term goals are the World and European Championships, as well as some of the big races next year, but Tokyo is the main goal, whether that is on the road or the track."

Park rides for Team Breeze, which is British Cycling's new team for women academy riders.

Last month, Park competed in the UEC European Championships in France and in May, she won a tour series in Redditch.

However, she crashed in the next stage, resulting in her injuring her elbow and losing the leader's jersey.

She has also had ongoing rehabilitation for a back injury, but says it hasn't caused her too many problems.

"It's sort of an ongoing injury that I have had from my time running," said Park.

"I have to keep it under check, but it's been going alright at the moment."