The hits keep coming for Maple Ridge, B.C.’s Maggie Coles-Lyster. The Human Powered Health rider sprinted to second place Sunday at the GP Mazda Schelkens in Borsbeek, Belgium, continuing her strong run of form with another podium finish in 2026. Teammate Kathrin Schweinberger followed close behind in fifth after a polished lead-out from the squad.
The 134.1-km one-day race came down to a fast and technical finale, with Coles-Lyster and Schweinberger backed by Carlotta Cipressi, Wiktoria Pikulik, Lily Williams and Jente Koops through the closing kilometres.
“Our plan was a bit different, and obviously, we really wanted that win, but we can walk away happy with second place as well,” Coles-Lyster said. “We had to adapt on the fly, which can happen in these finishes, but the whole team raced well all day, and we were definitely the strongest squad.”
Racing in hot conditions, the team stayed near the front throughout the day and avoided a pair of crashes inside the final kilometres. Cipressi, Williams and Koops then delivered the sprinters into position before the bunch ripped through the final right-hand bend.
Coles-Lyster launched her sprint from there but could not quite come around winner Charlotte Kool of Fenix-Premier Tech.
“Of course, we wanted that win, and that third win of the year will come,” the Canadian Olympian said. “We’re getting closer and closer every race.”
The twisting run-in suited her background in criterium racing. We all know how fast MCL is in crits (and on the track).
“It’s basically a race like a crit, like a super fast circuit race, lots of corners,” she explained. “My background is in crits, so this fast, punchy style of racing is basically in my DNA.”
Coles-Lyster now turns her attention toward the Giro, carrying strong sprint form into the next block of racing after recently returning from altitude training. She joins a whopping seven other Canucks who are set to race at La Corsa Rosa.