Morven Yeoman is back for another tilt at the Lloyds Tour of Britain, but this time she does so believing she is a winner.
The Scottish cyclist from Strathaven has proven phenomenal form on the road so far this season, having claimed a double as she became the 2026 National Road Series and Rapha Super-League champion.
She led the Road Series since winning the Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix in May, instilling a renewed idea of who she is on the bike.
Growing as a rider
“I’m really proud of how I’ve grown as a rider this season. The win in Lincoln really gave me a lot of belief in myself to prove to people that I can win races, and I can be someone who wins an overall series,” said the 22-year-old.
“I did the Tour of Britain last year and I’ve done a couple of WorldTour stage races. This one is probably by far the hardest and longest stage race I’ve ever done.
“I just want to take each day as it comes. I’d love to go maybe a top 20, you never know, but I just want to use the confidence and build into the stage race.”
Race progress and ambitions
Yeoman, who rides for DAS-Hutchinson, started the five-stage race closest to her Scottish home in Cockermouth in the Lake District, finishing 37th and just two minutes and 28 seconds behind the lead group.
She finished 11th in the youth classification in last year’s edition that finished on her doorstep in Glasgow and, with the taste of victory now familiar, will aim to better that this time out while she remains eligible for the young riders' jersey.
This edition will see an extra day of racing with the women’s tour now expanded to five stages to bring it to parity with the men’s edition.
“Success at the end of this week would be a really nice team result and one day a result for the team and myself,” said Yeoman.
“I think just enjoying the experience and learning from the some of the best riders in the world. I just want to enjoy it.”
Other Scottish competitor and stage one highlights
Fellow Scot Arabella Blackburn spent time in the breakaway before a wasp sting saw her drop off the pace of Team Picnic PostNL rider Audrey De Keersmaeker.
It meant the Stonehaven native, 18, missed out on the chance to compete for the Queen of the Mountains jersey on her Lloyds Tour of Britain debut, as De Keersmaeker claimed the blue jersey after day one.
“It was really hard because the peloton was chasing and I felt they were coming closer, but I really wanted to get the points to secure the jersey for today,” said the Belgian De Keersmaeker.
“It did not start as a goal for me today, but I saw an opportunity to go in the break to spice up the race a bit. I took that opportunity with both hands.”
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