'That's why I ride my bike': Lewis Askey makes sure at the Tour of Britain after a season of near misses

Lewis Askey (NSN Cycling) delivered arguably the biggest win of his career on stage one of the 2026 Tour of Britain on Wednesday. The midlander held off Filippo Ganna and Tim Wellens on the cobbled Michaelgate climb to take the stage and the first leader's jersey.

The win was only Askey's third as a professional, and his first since last year's 4 Jours de Dunkerque. It arrived after a season of near misses: fourth on stage 17 of the Tour de France, two top-tens at Paris-Nice, third at Tro Bro Léon and runner-up at the British National Championships.

"I've been pretty close quite a few times this year," the 25-year-old said. "So to come away with a win and put my hands up in the air, I think that's why I ride my bike," he said on the NSN website.

Askey found himself isolated for much of the finale, outnumbered by rival teams, and had to pick his moments carefully before launching clear on the final ascent to overtake Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).

NSN sports director Rene Mandri praised the ride: "If you have legs like that, you've got to win, and he did," Mandri said.

Askey is targeting the Tour of Britain GC

“I came here with an eye on the GC in the first place,” explained Askey. “I think I knew that this stage was going to kind of decide the whole week. I think a lot of people maybe didn’t expect there to be as big time gaps, but we did. I had to perform today to show that I was capable to come and ride for GC. So yeah, I’m quite happy with that.”

There was a personal dimension to the win, too. Askey's grandparents watched from the finish line in Lincoln, and he later spoke of representing Team Scotland at July's Commonwealth Games through family ties to Cumbernauld. "My nan and grandad were here to watch, so that was super special," Askey told Cyclingnews after the stage.

The win puts Askey nine seconds clear on general classification heading into Thursday's flatter stage from Boston to Skegness, a day expected to suit the sprinters — and NSN teammate Ethan Vernon in particular.

Mandri was cautious about looking too far ahead: "We'll take it day by day. Let's see how tomorrow goes, and we'll take it from there," he said. Defending the jersey while also setting up Vernon for stage wins will be the team's balancing act for the rest of the week.