{"id":866568,"date":"2026-08-21T20:02:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T20:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/866568\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T20:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T20:02:10","slug":"maggie-coles-lyster-after-second-at-tour-of-britain-it-feels-like-the-worlds-my-oyster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/866568\/","title":{"rendered":"Maggie Coles-Lyster after second at Tour of Britain: \u2018It feels like the world\u2019s my oyster\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maple Ridge, B.C.\u2019s Maggie Coles-Lyster had one rider in mind when the Tour of Britain Women came down to a sprint in Blackpool for Stage 2.<\/a><\/p>\n

She followed Lorena Wiebes.<\/p>\n

The national champ finished second to the Team SD Worx\u2013Protime sprinter on Thursday\u2019s 110.5-km stage from Clitheroe to Blackpool, using Wiebes\u2019 wheel to take her second WorldTour podium of the season and sixth podium overall in 2026.<\/p>\n

A great day at the office<\/p>\n

\u201cI was second, and my boyfriend got to see me race, so all in all, it was a very exciting day for me,\u201d Coles-Lyster said. \u201cLorena\u2019s a GOAT, of course. A win would\u2019ve been great, but I\u2019m really happy with second.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a wet, messy day on the roads of northwest England, with rain falling for much of the stage and wind and rough road surfaces adding to the challenge. Two climbs early in the race threatened to make the day harder, while a road traffic accident forced a brief neutralization and the removal of the second QOM.<\/p>\n

A strange stage<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say today was a weird day with all the delays,\u201d Coles-Lyster said. \u201cWe had rain. We had some wind at certain points. We had some rough roads. So, having the girls around, especially towards the end, was really important,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

With a bunch sprint becoming increasingly likely, her Human Powered Health teammates made sure to get her to the front.<\/p>\n

Wiebes is in a league of her own \ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n

Lorena Wiebes wins Stage 2 at Lloyds Tour of Britain Women by finding a gap and exploding away from her rivals in the final 250m \ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\udffc<\/p>\n

Lorena Wiebes \u2013 Sprint to win stage 2
\u23f1\ufe0f Time: 15\u201c
\u26a1\ufe0fAvg power: 930w
\ud83d\udca5 Max power: 1200w pic.twitter.com\/gXPSpIu7w6<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Velon CC (@VelonCC) August 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we realized it was going to be a sprint, they would come and support me and just stay around me. Keeping me out of trouble, and keeping me towards the front,\u201d she said. \u201cMy whole goal was just to be at the front all day. They were able to help me do that, so that was really important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding Wiebes<\/p>\n

As the finale approached, Coles-Lyster made her move for Wiebes\u2019 wheel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith about three kilometres to go, we were just behind SD Worx, and I was like, \u2018Hey, Marta, switch with me so I can be on Lorena\u2019s wheel, and then cover me from behind,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

From there, patience was the key.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was committed to that wheel and just remained patient. I really fought for her wheel to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coles-Lyster also followed the advice of Human Powered Health head of racing, and former pro Magnus B\u00e4ckstedt, who knows the Blackpool finish well.<\/p>\n

Timing is everything<\/p>\n

\u201cMagnus said beforehand, \u2018Don\u2019t go too early, and sprint on the right side,\u2019 and that\u2019s what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

The result continues a fab season for Coles-Lyster after she returned from surgery in 2025 to address FLIA (Flow Limitation of the Iliac Artery).<\/p>\n

\u201cThis level of consistency is in big part thanks to the blood flow in my legs,\u201d she said. \u201cI can now work on my climbing so I can be there at the finale of more reduced groups as well.\u201d
Coles-Lyster, who has already been on the podium six times this season, said the results have given her confidence that there is more to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been this consistent through a season,\u201d she said. \u201cTo have this level of consistency and keep getting these great results is really cool. And it just gives me a lot of inspiration to build from here.\u201d<\/p>\n

And she is still figuring out just how far that progress can take her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels like the world\u2019s my oyster and, like, what can I do with this now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Stage 3 of the Tour of Britain went to Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance \u2013 Soudal Team). The Mauritian national champ now leads the overall, with two stages to go.<\/p>\n