After the men's RideLondon-Surrey Classic ended due to the withdrawal of support from Surrey County Council, the women's edition became a stage race for the first time, but with the caveat of limited television coverage and a smaller prize purse for the winner.

Only the third stage will be broadcast live, with highlights packages being set up for the first two stages for the Women's WorldTour race.

The race is to be shown by the BBC - who are to broadcast the event for the next five years - while Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network are to show the race elsewhere in Europe.

Only €60,000 (£51,200/$64,200) will be on offer over the three stages in total, down from €100,000 (£85,300/$107,000) for the one-day race last year.

When the equal prize money of €100,000 was introduced in 2016, it was the best-paid women's race on the Women's WorldTour calendar, but now the Giro Donne and Tour de France Femmes offer two-and-a-half times the money.

In November, race organiser Hugh Brasher told VeloNews that it was the intention to maintain the same prize fund, but this has since been cut by 40 per cent.

The overall winner of the race is to earn €10,000 (£8,500/$10,700).

Long-term sponsor Prudential have not returned for 2022, instead being replaced by car manufacturer Ford as its new presenting partner.

The likes of Women's WorldTour 2021 champion Annemiek van Vleuten from The Netherlands have said live coverage is more important for the development of women's cycling than prize money.

The Women's WorldTour races require at least 45 minutes of live coverage a day, with it unclear what the status of the race will be in future having not met this target.

Days one and two will largely take place in Essex before the race heads to London for the finale.

Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes and Italian cyclist Elisa Balsamo are expected to be near the front of the field, with the stage race expected to suit fast riders.

Balsamo's compatriot Marta Bastianelli is likely to feature in the sprints alongside Denmark's Emma Norsgaard.

In-form Belgian Lotte Kopecky - who has already won the Tour of Flanders and Strade Bianche this season - is not taking part in the race, which is due to run until Sunday (May 29).