Lewis Askey wins opening stage of the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain

Lewis Askey (NSN Cycling Team) claimed victory on the opening stage of the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain, triumphing in Lincoln in a time of 4:02:44. The Briton finished ahead of Filippo Ganna (Netcompany Ineos) and Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG) on the line, both arriving 2 seconds behind.The inaugural stage of the British race started from the centre of Lincoln, taking the riders through the Lincolnshire Wolds and the towns of Market Rasen, Caistor, Waddingham and Ingham, before returning to the city for the finale. The urban circuit, based on the Lincoln Grand Prix course, featured the fearsome cobbled climb of Michaelgate, 400 metres at an average gradient of 9.3%, which proved to be the key point for attacks in the closing stages.Stage result1. Lewis Askey (NSN Cycling Team) — 4:02:442. Filippo Ganna (Netcompany Ineos) +0:023. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG) +0:024. Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) +0:095. Daan Hoole (Decathlon Cma Cgm Team) +0:09General classificationWith his stage victory, Askey dons the first leader's jersey of the race with a time of 4:02:31, ahead of Ganna by 9 seconds and Wellens by 11 seconds. The race continues tomorrow with a new stage.