With a finish like this Lorena Wiebes rarely makes mistakes and indeed the Dutch superstar easily made her mark over the 158.9 km scheduled for the first stage of the Tour of Britain. The victory, however, belongs entirely to Team SD Worx Protime, which did practically perfect work protecting their leader from the numerous attacks that animated the final 25 km. Second place for Chiara Consonni (Canyon Sram), third Josie Nelson (Team Pic Nic PostNL). An excellent performance also from Letizia Borghesi (AG Insurance Soudal Team) who finished in sixth position.

THE RACE. A very fast and nervous stage for the opening of the Tour of Britain Women, the athletes covered 158.9 km with start and finish in Cockermouth, the longest stage of this edition. The day was characterized by the climbs of Caldbeck and Parsonby Bow, but above all a very eventful finale.

After the official start, many athletes tried to break away from the group, but especially the UAE Team L'imad made their presence felt to arrive compact at the intermediate sprint in Allonby. The breakaway of the day featured Arabella Rosalie Blackburn (Handsling Alba Development Road Team), the youngest athlete in the race who managed to gain up to 2 minutes advantage and Audrey De Keersmaeker (PicNicpostnl) who tried to catch the attacker but without success. The group regrouped 56 km from the finish.

The race exploded on the Parsonby Brow climb, thanks to the great work of Team UAE L'imad and Movistar the peloton split and about fifteen athletes remained at the front including the day's favorite Lorena Wiebes. Taking advantage of the downhill section, many riders managed to rejoin and the group passed compact under the Cockermouth finish line.

The final 25 km of the race were truly breathless also due to the rain. Kim Le Court Pieenaar opened the dance for a series of attacks that saw various athletes as protagonists including Shrin Van Anrooij. The shared objective of everyone was to do everything possible to put Lorena Wiebes in difficulty, but Team SD Worx Protime did practically perfect work for their sprinter. Lotte Kopecky and Mischa Bredewold launched Wiebes who with a regal sprint took her sixteenth victory of the season.

Tomorrow Lorena Wiebes will start with the leader's jersey for the second stage, with 110.5 km scheduled from Clitheroe to Blackpool and it should be another opportunity for the sprinters. The second and final climb of the day will end more than 60 km from the finish to face a completely flat finale.

FINISHING ORDER

1 Wiebes Lorena Team SD Worx-Protime 04:03:09

2 Consonni Chiara CANYON//SRAM + 00

3 Nelson Josie Team Picnic PostNL + 00

4 Ton Quinty Liv AlUla Jayco + 00

5 Andersson Caroline Liv AlUla Jayco + 00

6 Borghesi Letizia AG Insurance-Soudal Team + 00

7 Swinkels Karlijn UAE Team L'IMAD + 00

8 Lippert Liane Movistar Team + 00

9 Bredewold Mischa Team SD Worx-Protime + 00

10 Moors Fleur Lidl-Trek + 00