Canadian cyclist Maggie Coles-Lyster has celebrated an impressive comeback after health problems by winning the one-day race of the Tour Down Under in Australia. The sprint specialist beat Tour Down Under winner Noemi Rüegg and Poland's Marta Lach at the start and finish in Tanunda. For Coles-Lyster, this success represents the biggest of her career to date, alongside her title as national champion, after she had to undergo an operation on her pelvic artery just six months ago. Recovering from this medical procedure was a particular challenge for the Canadian, which she has now crowned with a prestigious victory in Australia. The race in the Barossa Valley region followed a classic sprinter's pattern, with Coles-Lyster demonstrating her speed and tactical finesse. The Canadian positioned herself perfectly in the final and was able to distance herself from her rivals in the final metres. It was particularly remarkable that she was able to prevail against Rüegg, who had previously won the overall classification of the multi-day Tour Down Under and had started the race in correspondingly strong form.
Strong competition at the Australian season opener
The Tour Down Under and the associated one-day race traditionally mark the start of the international cycling season for women. The field of participants was correspondingly high-calibre. In addition to overall winner Rüegg and third-placed Lach, there were numerous other top female riders at the start. New Zealander Ally Wollaston, who had celebrated two stage wins at the Tour Down Under, had been a particular centre of attention in the days leading up to the race. Wollaston, who rides for the FDJ-Suez team, caused a stir with her first success with an impressive 100-kilometre solo that was almost caught by the competition. The New Zealander also had to fight hard for her second stage win after almost missing her chance. However, Wollaston was unable to make her mark in the final one-day race, which paved the way for Coles-Lyster's triumph. The Canadian used her regained strength and proved that she is one of the best sprinters in the world when she can ride without health restrictions.
Tear-out attempts undesirable!
Immediately after the start, the race was characterised by the first breakaway attempt: Loes Adegeest (Lidl - Trek) and the Australian champion Mackenzie Coupland (Liv AlUla Jayco) broke away after just two kilometres and tried to extend their lead over the peloton. However, it became clear early on that the sprinters' teams would leave no room for manoeuvre and consistently controlled the attack. The duo were not allowed a lead of more than just under 40 seconds - after around ten kilometres at the front, the escape was over again. Numerous further attacks followed, but the soloists were only able to pull away by a few seconds each time.
Mass sprint from the rest of the field
With only around 30 riders left in the final kilometres, there was a crash in the peloton 1.5 kilometres before the finish line, which tore the peloton apart and split it in two. Anyone who wanted to sprint for the stage win had to hold their own in the front group. Coles-Lyster played her cards cleverly from a leading group of around 15 riders: She took advantage of the sprint preparation of the rival teams, attached herself to the rear wheel of Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco) and waited patiently. It was not until 100 metres before the finish that the Canadian opened up her sprint, crossing the line with a lead of one bike length and saving victory by a wafer-thin margin from Rüegg. The Swiss rider reached the finish line with a clearly recognisable surplus of speed, but set off a few seconds too late for the decisive attack. Behind Coles-Lyster and Rüegg, Lach completed the podium with only a minimal gap at the finish.
Leon Weidner
Working student
