Two Cotswold cycling events on 7 July and 16 June will honour the memory of Sharon Laws, the Olympic cycling champion.

Sharon from Bourton-on-the-Water died last year at the age of 43 following a battle with cancer.

She did a lot to raise the profile of cycling in the Cotswolds, including assistance in promoting the local leg of last year's OVO Energy Tour of Britain. Before she rose to fame she attended The Cotswold School in Bourton and established close links with them to boost the appeal of cycling.

As a result, the school is now organising the Sharon Laws Sportive in association with British Cycling. The 43-mile route (one mile for every year of Sharon's life) will take place on Saturday 7 July, starting and ending in Bourton, and visiting The Rissingtons, Bledington, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Burford, Windrush and Sherborne.

A shorter loop will also be available for children and families. Visit http://bit.ly/SharonLawsSportive to participate; proceeds will be divided equally between Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust - www.jostrust.org.uk - and The Cotswold School.

Principal of Cotswold School, Will Morgan, said: "Sharon was a lovely lady, a fantastic cyclist and good friend of the school. We are delighted to be holding this event, in our 30th year, but we hope to hold it as an annual event, as a long-lasting tribute to Sharon."

Cotswold District Council's cabinet member for tourism, Cllr Chris Hancock, said: "Sharon played a huge part in the success of the Cotswolds leg of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain last year and clearly inspired many youngsters to get involved in cycling.

"As a tribute to her, it is with great pleasure we can announce that Sharon's Mum Joy Laws will unveil a plaque at Bourton's Everyone Active Leisure Centre on the morning of the Sportive. Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council, in liaison with Joy, have arranged for this lasting tribute to Sharon.

"In addition, Cotswold District Council will arrange for two of Sharon's signed shirts to be framed to mark her achievements. The unveiling will take place in the lobby of the Leisure Centre (which is next to The Cotswold School) at 10 am on Saturday 7 July."

Laura Winter, TV presenter, commentator, event host and member of the team @Voxwomen, new the cyclist: "Sharon was a much loved bike rider and teammate and a wonderful friend and colleague to me. I think of her every time I ride my bike in the Cotswolds, remembering the tough rides we did in the last year of her life.

"Even facing a huge battle with cancer she inspired me every day with her positivity, her mental resilience and that infectious laugh. It is so fitting the area will honour and remember her life with these two events which I'm sure will be a real celebration of cycling, the sport she loved so dearly."

Also, stage four of the Women's Tour of Britain touches the Cotswolds area on 16 June, and this will be dedicated to the memory of Sharon Laws.

More details are available at www.womenstour.co.uk/stages/stage-4/)