Nicola Juniper will continue the defence of her British Cycling Women’s Road Series lead at the Essex Giro Two-Day this weekend.

Before the seventh event of the nine round series Juniper holds a 65-point advantage over Shaw, who is currently third in the standings and is the only rider likely to challenge Juniper for the title.

Katie Archibald is currently in second place – but alongside Laura Trott, Dani King and Elinor Barker – will not race in Essex and are unlikely to play any further part in the series due to Commonwealth Games commitments.

With a maximum of 85 points available at the Essex Giro 2-day, Shaw could take the overall lead and if she manages this feat, it will be the first time Juniper has not topped the table.

With Juniper on 172 points and Shaw on 107 points, the next group of riders have all scored less than 60 points – Dame Sarah Storey and Hannah Walker will both line up in Essex with the hope of establishing themselves as contenders for third position overall.

The series-changing standings will be decided when 66 entered riders contest three stages in two days.

A four-kilometre time-trial, followed by a 50-kilometre crit on Saturday will be held at the Redbridge Cycling Centre, while the deciding 120-kilometre road race on Sunday starts from Saffron Waldon, which welcomed the Tour de France earlier in the week.

With a short time-trial and relatively flat terrain, time gaps are expected to be minimal, with the event favouring the sprinters.