Lewis Askey storms up Michaelgate to take Tour of Britain Men stage 1
The Midlander proved a popular victor in Lincoln after a hard fought final 10km
Home rider Lewis Askey (NSN Cycling) stormed up the cobbles of Michaelgate in Lincoln to take an impressive and hard-won victory on stage one of the Tour of Britain Men.
The Midlander attacked from a select group of riders that included Filippo Ganna (Netcompany-Ineos), plus Florian Vermeersch and Tim Wellens (both UAE Team Emirates-XRG), which had prised itself clear in the last 40 kilometres.
Ganna was second after a concerted chase, just two seconds back, with Wellens third.
The 182.5km stage both started and finished in Lincoln, and included five ascents of the cobbled climb of Michaelgate in the city centre – an ascent made famous by the annual Lincoln Grand Prix.
With the finish line situated just beyond, seemed inevitable that Michaelgate's cobbles would be instrumental in deciding the day's winner, and so it proved. A longstanding six-rider breakaway was caught with around 40km to go, just before the second pass of the climb, and as the race hit the cobbles it ignited.
Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Askey were the first to strike, dragging with them some of the best riders in the race. Ganna, Vermeersch and Wellens were all there too, plus Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) and five others, making up a group of 11.
They worked well together until the last 10km when Wellens, clearly on a good day, began attacking. The Belgian was unable to make anything stick though, and it was ultimately his countryman Vermeersch who appeared to have made the winning move, with a blistering attack two kilometres out.
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
But he had not counted on Askey's sheer will to win, and with his family looking on, he emptied the tanks up Michaelgate to leave Vermeersch standing and take a memorable win.
Tour of Britain Men 2026, stage 1: Lincoln > Lincoln, 182.5km
1. Lewis Askey (Gbr) NSN Cycling, in 4:02:44
2. Filippo Ganna (Ita) Netcompany-Ineos, +2s
3. Tim Wellens (Bel) UAE Team Emirates-XRG, at s.t.
4. Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Soudal Quick-Step, +9s
5. Daan Hoole (Ned) Decathlon CMA CGM
6. Matteo Trentin (Ita) Tudor Pro Cycling, both s.t.
7. Florian Vermeersch (Bel) UAE Team Emirates-XRG, +11s
8. Elliot Rowe (Gbr) Great Britain, +19s
9. Rick Pluimers (Ned) Tudor Pro Cycling, at s.t.
10. Paul Wright (Nzl) Modern Adventure Cycling, +26s
After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.
Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.
He has worked at a variety of races, from the Classics to the Giro d'Italia – and this year will be his seventh Tour de France.
A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.