Maple Ridge cyclist Maggie Coles-Lyster is the Canadian elite road race champion.
She won a close sprint finish to take the win at the 2026 Canadian Road Championships in St. Georges Que., held over four days from June 25 to 28. The event brings all of Canada’s top riders together in the elite, junior, U23, U17 and para cycling categories.
“Winning my second elite title is pretty sweet,” Coles-Lyster said afterwards.
The sprint came after a tough 108 km race.
“I had to push hard on the climbs, but then I conserved as much as I could once we were over them, and played all my cards in for that sprint.”
The last time she won nationals was in 2022, and Coles-Lyster noted that she moved to Europe to chase her cycling career just six months later.
“A lot has happened since then, most notably being diagnosed with bilateral iliac artery endofibrosis and undergoing surgery last year,” she said. “This season I’ve been on a comeback mission, so winning nationals again feels every bit as special as it did the first time.”
“I’m really happy where I am and that I get to wear the Maple Leaf this year,” added the Canadian champ.
She said it was made even sweeter by having her whole family there to share the victory. Her father Barry Lyster has been her coach, and is the organizer of numerous popular cycling events in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows through Local Ride Racing.
Racing professionally in Europe with the Human Power Health team this year, and back at peak health, she has won the Tour Down Under Women’s One Day Race in Australia, and a stage podium at the Giro d’Italia Women so far this year.