BILBAO – Sometimes fate is truly incredible. There are some stories that even the best writer would struggle to think of. But if you are neither one nor the other, you become a trainer and you call yourself Maurizio Mazzoleni (below in the video, ed.), then you have a better chance.
The coach of theAstana-Qazaqstan this morning in a 360° interview talking about "third wheelers" he had said precisely that he was watch out for the Yates twins: Because they're going strong, they're rarely talked about, and they know how to win. He couldn't have been more precise.
Moreover it's not the first time that Simon e Adam they arrive in parade. It happened ten years ago. At the Tour de l'Avenir… that time there was a deal and Simon won.
Decisive wind?
Adam Yates' deadly push on the Pike Wall. "Those two" remain attached to him and the surprising lafay. Adam slips out, comes back in and runs away.
Simon spots him and stalks him. First, he knows how his brother is doing, and then he immediately senses that the move could be tactically advantageous. At that moment, Jumbo-Visma hadn't consolidated.
Yesterday we had covered the last 10 kilometers and we said to ourselves: “If they're still ahead at the left bend, they'll get there.” There, in fact, the wind shifted and became favorable. And so it went. The twins managed to reach great speed. Moreover, they drove very well on the city curves.
Simon is there
The final stretch was all about legs: 500 meters at 4-6 percent. And there, Simon had no legs left.
«He had some cramps at the end, that's what Simon told me – he revealed Brent Copeland, general manager of the Jayco-Alula A beautiful story todayIt could have been better for us! We could have won the stage and taken the yellow jersey, but if someone else had to win, good that Adam did it."
"Real, he shot more than Adam, but that was understandable: he had Pogacar behind him and he might not have shot at all. Yes, they are twins, but in competition they are rivals and professionals."
Bitter smile
Copeland has had both and knows them. They're very similar. Adam is perhaps a little more suited to one-day races, more explosive, like a “classic like today's” (it was the first stage). Simon more for the three weeks, and in fact he won one Return.
«But this result – continues Copeland – is also important because now We know Simon is doing well. He hasn't run since April. (only one stage in Romandie, ed.) and for us it was a question markHe's very good at preparing at home, but racing is a different story.
"We're starting to focus on the standings, then we'll see... Because racing for fifth place doesn't make much sense for us. At that point, it's better to aim for a few more stages."
Simon Yates meanwhile uncrossed his leg. He asked the mechanic to turn the rollers toward the bus. And not towards the street. It's also a way to avoid the press. He's not disappointed, because he explains things clearly to his teammates and smiles every now and then, but clearly some thoughts are buzzing in his head.
What they said to each other with their twin is known, and probably will be known, always and only by them. But they're professionals. And Adam reiterated this in the press conference.
First and third
And then there's the winner's side. The UAE Emirates explodes in a cry of joy. The other team manager, Mauro Gianetti, he gets out of the bus with his arms raised, losing his proverbial composure for a few seconds.
«First Adam, third Tadej, yellow shirt – says the Swiss manager – We couldn't have started any better. Tadej is fine and this is the other important news."
"Did we play PlayStation? No, but this action was planned," said sports director Hauptman. Grosschartner was expected to make that push. to stay ahead on the Pike. We wanted to see how we were doing and how the others were doing. Then we also had to try with Adam, who is in great form. This stage was important for us. And it was also important to win."
Crossed destinies
Adam and Simon they had a parallel career. As kids, they were always each other's biggest rivals. And today, in the biggest race, it was like going back to the local races they used to do as kids.
Who knows what went through the minds and hearts of their parents, their fellow villagers. Especially in that of dad John who put them on bikes. He had a small team, Bury Clarion, and he took them to ride at the Manchester velodrome. Their first races, their first successes.
Even though Adam was the one who acted as a "bridgehead" between the two. He was the one who struck the first big blow. It was The 2013 Avenir and came in second. It was there that they paraded in front of a large crowd for the first time.
As a he told us Victor Algiers, the sports director who knows them best: "If one achieves one result, the other rushes to achieve another."
Adam in disbelief
"I couldn't believe I was leading with my brother," said Adam Yates in his fresh yellow jersey. "It's incredible. A fantastic experience. What did we tell ourselves? That we had to push and push again… We knew there was some confusion behind. Tadej told me to go."
«I had spent a lot on the final climb and so I tried to save something. When at 450 meters Tadej told me on the radio that everything was okay, I pushed to the maximum and I managed to win."
Adam and Simon Yates live close by. They talk often and even go out together occasionally, but lately they've been seeing less of each other than you might think. «I spent much more time with the team than at home, but I'm happy to share this joy with him (the two they hugged each other after arrival, ed.). It will be an indelible memory."
But they are in charge
This first fraction, however, was also the first confrontation between Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. The two they teased each other, or at least they teased their respective teams. Now one, now the other were in the lead, making trains to take the climbs and critical points ahead.
The sprint finish of the chasing group rewards the Slovenian's quick start, but they're really there. And if these are the premises... good luck! Tour de France to everyone.
