Students at a Sheffield school received a visit from British double Olympic champion Nicola Adams OBE last week – but it was cycling on her agenda and not boxing.

The 34-year-old Yorkshire fighter is swapping the ring for the road later this month as she saddles up for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 on July 30.

And in preparation she took part in a spin class with several students from Chapeltown Academy, who are also riding the sportive.

The ride will see bikers head south out of London from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and into Surrey, before heading back to the capital for a final stretch along The Mall.

Leeds fighter Adams also took part in a question and answer session with pupils, and admitted her excitement about playing her part in giving youngsters the unique opportunity.

“I’m hoping I can inspire the kids and get them really excited about the ride,” said Adams, who has won both her fights since turning professional.

“I’d loved to have been able to do this when I was a kid, being able to take part in a ride and do something that I’ve never done before.

“I know some of the kids who will have not had an opportunity like this or maybe not even ridden a bike, so that will be good to see.

“It’s going to be a special day on July 30. It will be good to see the crowds and the kids as well.

“I just want to get talking to them, mingling with them and hopefully inspiring them. Hopefully they’re ready for this ride and they can inspire me and get me through the 46 miles!

“You never know, we could have the next Olympic champion on that ride.”

Year 12 student Josh Black, one of the pupils cycling the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 and who raced in the spin class, hailed Adams as a role model and is delighted to be taking part in the ride.

“She’s a real role model for working class people – she shows real determination and grit to achieve her goals – it was a great experience," he said.

“The spin class was great but really intense, I was very tired afterwards.

“I just thought it was such a good opportunity to take part in the ride, I would never have had this kind of opportunity before.”

Fellow pupil Rebecca Bream, 18, added: “It was quite surreal to meet Nicola, but she was really nice and approachable – it felt really cool.

“My goal is to actually finish the ride, and if I’m able to do this it will boost my confidence.”

The visit was organised through Prudential’s PruGOals partnership with Teach First, with 260 students and 40 teachers being given the opportunity to take part in the 46, or the longer Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100.

Fourteen of those students and two teachers will be from Chapeltown, and Ali Jaffer, acting head teacher of the school, said Adams’ visit had cranked up anticipation ahead of the ride.

“It was wonderful to have Nicola at the academy, because showing students the opportunities that have arisen from her determination gives them an idea of what they can achieve,” Mr Jaffer said.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be achievement in sport, it could be in academia, the arts or music, but having somebody like Nicola here created a real buzz around the place.

“Everyone has been training hard and they feel confident they can complete the 46 miles, so we’re looking forward to the event.

“The students have been out on their bikes, some of them have been cycling round the car park, some have been doing more work than others, but they’ve all been out and I’m confident they’ll benefit a lot from the experience.”

Nicola Adams OBE will be riding with students and teachers from the educational charity Teach First at Prudential RideLondon as part of the PruGOals programme. For further information on PruGOals visit www.prugoals.co.uk