Lorena Wiebes made it two from two at the Tour of Britain Women 2026, surging to victory on Stage 2 from Clitheroe to Blackpool in wet and difficult conditions on Thursday.
The Dutch sprinter, riding for SD Worx-Protime, launched her decisive effort from 250 metres out and was largely uncontested as she crossed the line to extend her overall lead. Canada's Maggie Coles-Lyster (Human Powered Health) came home second, with Mauritius rider Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) completing the podium in third.
The 110.5-kilometre stage featured more than 1,000 metres of climbing in the opening section and was marred by a series of disruptions. The peloton was forced to divert after lorries blocked the course, and the stage was temporarily halted to allow emergency service vehicles to pass through following a road accident. A crash in the closing kilometres brought down Britons Anna Morris and Katie Scott along with Australia's Georgia Baker, though all three were able to remount and finish.
A lone breakaway from Oda Aune Gissinger (Hitec Products-Fluid Control) was caught with four kilometres remaining, setting up a bunch sprint finish. UAE Team L'IMAD controlled the front of the peloton in the final kilometres, with Liv AlUla Jayco and FDJ United-Suez also contributing before Wiebes unleashed her trademark long-range kick.
The victory keeps Wiebes in the green leader's jersey with a 14-second advantage over Italy's Chiara Consonni (Canyon-Sram) heading into Friday's Stage 3 from Mold to Llandudno.
The race has been overshadowed by safety concerns after Australian rider Maeve Plouffe reported being nearly hit by a car during Stage 1 in Cumbria. The incident occurred on a roundabout as she was chasing back to the peloton following a puncture, with the race convoy still in sight. British Cycling Ventures, which organises the event, said it was taking Plouffe's comments "extremely seriously" and reviewing the matter with her team O'Shea Red Chilli Bikes. The concerns come just days after the death of 19-year-old British rider Fin Tarling in a collision with a van during the Volta a Portugal.
Sources
- https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/womens-cycling/tour-of-britain-women-lorena-wiebes-doubles-up-with-long-range-sprint-to-win-stage-2/
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/articles/cp3rg3x0e7wo
