There was no stopping Lewis Askey today in Lincoln.
The 25-year-old delivered the biggest win of his career and his first in NSN colors when he stormed to victory on day one of the Tour of Britain. Askey’s dominant performance, which saw him blast away from the rest of the breakaway on the uphill cobbled Michaelgate climb, sees him move into the leader’s jersey.
Askey was ecstatic after the finish line as he celebrated with his teammates and family, saying: “I’ve been pretty close quite a few times this year, like at Nationals. I’ve had a couple of seconds, a couple of thirds. So to come away with a win and put my hands up in the air, I think that’s why I ride my bike. I’m so happy to be able to do that again this year.”
While Askey’s strong form is undeniable, today’s win was a tactical game with the Brit outnumbered in the leading group.
“To be honest, it was a really hard race for me to manage because I was solo in the front group where the other teams had two guys,” adds Askey. “So it was a really difficult one for me to manage, and I just kind of had to pick the guys that I thought would bring it back and just count the numbers that were going each time.
“I knew if I got to the last time of the climb, I had been feeling really good for the last week or so, and knew I’d have the legs to be able to do a good effort and at least be close to the win. I just needed to get myself in that position. I thought it had nearly gone at the end, but yeah, I managed to have the legs to bring it back in the final.”
It may be the opening day but today’s explosive stage is set to have a big impact on the General Classification which Askey leads with a nine-second margin.
“I came here with an eye on the GC in the first place,” explains 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.”
Sports Director Rene Mandri was full of praise for the British rider’s performance, especially the way he chased down lone leader Florian Vermeersch heading up towards Lincoln’s famous cathedral, after the UAE Team Emirates – XRG rider looked to steal a march on the peloton.
“Lewis played it really well today,” says Mandri. “It was a numbers game in the lead group – he was against teams with two riders in there, but he played it really well, and he had great legs.
“To come across to Vermeersch in the final there was really impressive. If you have legs like that, you’ve got to win, and he did.”
Thursday’s stage, which also takes place in Lincolnshire, albeit on a flat route from Boston to the seaside town of Skegness, should be one for the sprinters. Defending Askey’s lead, and also trying to set teammate Ethan Vernon up for a victory, is now the team’s focus.
Mandri adds: “We’ll take it day by day. Let’s see how tomorrow goes, and we’ll take it from there.”
Photos: SWpix.com / NoA Arnon