Canadian Olympian Maggie Coles-Lyster has signed with Human Powered Health through 2026, moving from Roland to the American women’s WorldTour squad. The 25-year-old from Maple Ridge, British Columbia, will enhance the team’s Classics capabilities and add strength to their sprints.
Coles-Lyster, a national road champion in 2022, competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics and raced the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, finishing eighth on stage 2. She also achieved two podiums at the Thüringen Ladies Tour, fifth at Ronde de Mouscron, and tenth at Gent-Wevelgem. “To come to a program that will help me step it up to that next degree of development is important,” she explains.
Excited for 2025
Joining Human Powered Health excites Coles-Lyster due to the team’s focus on women’s cycling and their exceptional staff: “To be on an American Women’s WorldTour team is special. From my early days racing BC Superweek and seeing the Optum women’s team, it’s always been a goal for me. Human Powered Health’s rise to WorldTour and their focus on women’s cycling has been impressive.”
Coles-Lyster values the team’s emphasis on the “Pillars of Performance”, which align with her personal approach: “Being part of a team that prioritizes these elements excites me. They enhance my physical and mental performance and help overcome obstacles, which is crucial for success.” She adds, “You see a lot of female athletes struggle with burnout due to a lack of balance. Long-term health and performance rely on maintaining this balance with the Pillars.”
Off the bike training is key
In addition to her racing career, Coles-Lyster integrates yoga into her routine, a practice she’s followed for ten years: “Yoga brings consistency, breathwork, and mindfulness, which I feel on the bike—regulating my emotions, managing anxieties before races, and visualizing sprints.”
Despite a “rollercoaster of emotions” in 2024, Coles-Lyster remains passionate about cycling. She will focus on developing her Classics abilities and leveraging her track experience for improved positioning and energy management. “We’ll focus on Maggie in the Classics and her role in Daria’s lead-out,” says Team Manager Kenny Latomme. “Maggie’s strong positioning skills are crucial. And her performance in tough races like Gent-Wevelgem shows her potential.”
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