For Simon Yates, the years pass, but his goal remains unchanged. In 2022 the British climber will still aim for Tour of ItalyThe one between Simon and the Corsa Rosa is an open account that has been going on for 4 years now, what is about to begin is the fifth in search of victory. When in the middle of last season, after the third place achieved behind Bernal e Caruso, we had asked Vittorio Algeri if Yates's hadn't become an obsession the answer was a timid: "It could be."
For a year and a half, the rider of the Bike Exchange Jayco, is also followed by Marco Pinotti who wants to help him conquer his personal Holy Grail, shaped like an endless trophy. Like a high jumper, Yates changes his approach but not the height of the bar…
Is the Giro still the goal for 2022?
Yes, but the approach changes. The race days do not change compared to 2021, but the distribution is different. The large the aim of the first months of competitions is the Paris-Nice, a race he never managed to win (he finished behind Soler in 2018 by just 4 seconds, ed.).
Last year he did Tirreno-Adriatico, Catalunya and Tour of the Alps...
Yes, in fact at Tour of the Alps he was too advanced in condition and never reached a peak of form at the Giro d'Italia, has been consistent. This can also be seen from the results, he did well after the last day of rest at Sega di Ala, a sign that he needed rest to absorb the efforts he'd made. Analyzing the data and his feelings, we realized that perhaps he was also lacking some foundation for recovery, so we decided to change our approach.
Now Simon is busy with the Ruta Ciclista del Sol, his debut for 2022, what will he do next?
This first race serves to assimilate the work done in winter preparation. At the finish of the second stage it was clear that he had given up in the last 200 metres, which means he's still a bit weighed down by the workload he's done at altitude until a few days ago. His next commitments will be Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya, then a period of altitude and finally a race right on the eve of the Giro.
Doesn't the Corsa Rosa risk becoming an obsession? Especially after so many years of trying? Even Simon suffers from the cold, and the Giro is never kind to the weather.
These are all valid considerations, however, in the end it's a race he didn't win, like Paris-NiceSimon is a champion and as such he wants to try where he has failed.
In 2022 the first race is the Ruta Del Sol, which has now reached its fourth stage In March he will return to Paris-Nice, which he lost by just 4 seconds in 2018 at the hands of Soler
In 2022 the first race is the Ruta Del Sol, which has now reached its fourth stage In March he will return to Paris-Nice, which he lost by just 4 seconds in 2018 at the hands of Soler
Change goal?
In the end the Return, which is a race not very suited to his conditions, he won. Changing the objective would mean going to the Tour de France (pause of silence, ed.) I'm not saying it's not within his reach, but riders like Pogacar and Roglic are hard to beatEspecially considering the long time trials there are. Given how the Giro is designed, I'd say it's more within his reach.
The second stop in Budapest It's a time trial, have you worked in this field too?
A lot of work has been done even in the wind tunnel because we have seen that in recent years it has distanced itself from its direct rivalsWe are working a lot with him, at the end of this year's Giro d'Italia even for the parterre it is really more affordable…
Simon will turn 30 this year, what are the parameters and areas to work on to improve, if still possible?
As you get older, your endurance increases, at the expense of short-term strength. He, unlike his brother (Adam, from 2021 to Ineos, ed.) is not someone who can do well in one-day racesHe's proven to be extremely competitive in week-long stage races. He could focus on those and become a stage hunter in the Grand Tours.
How many more seasons can he fight for the overall standings?
I think that for a couple of years, at least, he will still be able to fight for stage races. Eventually, as you get older, you improve in some ways, see Caruso who had his best season last year at 34 years old…
