Double Olympic champion Nicola Adams insists she cannot wait to hit the ring as a professional fighter as she looks to take her boxing career to the next level.

But the Rio 2016 and London 2012 gold medallist is adopting a rather different approach to the big bout – donning the lycra and hopping onto the saddle in training for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 on July 30. 

Adams is set to make her professional debut in Manchester on April 8, released from her contract from GB Boxing to become the first female to sign under famous promoter Frank Warren.

But while her opponent for that maiden fight – and her expected second contest in hometown Leeds on May 13 – are yet to be confirmed, the world’s first female Olympic boxing champion is not letting that hinder progress.

Adams has been has been working with coach Virgil Hunter in San Francisco as the countdown to the big day rapidly approaches.

But rather than just focus on her own aspirations, Adams – awarded an OBE for her services to boxing in the 2017 New Year honours – is hoping also to be a revolutionary figure in the sport.

"The preparations are going really well," she said. "I'm learning new tricks, and trying to punch a lot harder.

"Everything has been the same as normal which I was quite surprised about. I thought there would be more adjustments but it's just settling my feet now and landing the power shots.

"I would love to take professional boxing to the next level, I'd love to be a multi-weight world champion one day, that's the main goal.

"There's been a few fighters I want to emulate, the just-retired Floyd Mayweather, the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard. I've been watching all of these guys, their movement, their placement. I'm just excited.”

Adams was speaking at the Lee Valley VeloPark for the official launch of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46, part of the world’s greatest festival of cycling.

The 34-year-old will take to the roads in the 46-mile sportive from Surrey through the streets of London on July 30 with thousands of other riders, and spent the day with young people and teachers from schools all over the UK in a link between charity Teach First and Prudential.

The students and teachers will be provided with bikes, equipment, training and nutrition advice as part of the new 2017 PruGoals programme, boosting the wellbeing and employability skills of young people.

And for Adams, this will be a first major experience of long-distance cycling – a challenge she cannot help but relish where glorious memories of London 2012 Olympic Games were made.

“It’s fantastic to be able to inspire everyone from Teach First – and importantly with Prudential RideLondon, it’s not about who crosses the line first, but about going and enjoying the ride,” she added.

“It’s important to inspire people – we need more athletes and medals so it’s fantastic to pass on the massive amount of experience I have as well as the dedication and sacrifices you have to make.

“Cycling isn’t my first sport, I use it for training and I’ll have to up that more and more to ride over 46 miles! I’ve never cycled that far in my entire life so it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be hard, the ride will probably be the easiest bit of the lot come the end of it all, getting a chance to cycle past the sites right from the Olympic Park – where I haven’t been for a while – through to The Mall on the finish.”

Nicola Adams was speaking at the launch of PruGoals, a partnership between Prudential and Teach First which aims to empower young people to drive their ambitions and fulfil their potential regardless of social or economic background. To enter the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46, visitwww.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/events/46/entries/