Simon Yates finally conquered the Giro d’Italia, ending a tumultuous love affair with the Grand Tour that was marked by illness, injury, and indifferent form. The British rider, who had held out hope of redemption, ultimately achieved release.
Yates’ return to the Giro after two years away saw him quietly build contention, before making an audacious attack on stage 20. He seized the maglia rosa for the first time since his dramatic collapse in 2018 and went on to secure his second Grand Tour title.
The 32-year-old rider had endured setbacks, including a poor eighth place finish in 2019, forced withdrawals due to Covid-19 and a crash that forced him to abandon. However, he showed maturity by apologizing to his team before the final stage and channeled his frustration into a winning performance.
Yates’ victory marked a poignant moment in his career, as he finally closed the chapter on his 2018 collapse. The rider had been quietly building momentum all race, but it was not until he reached the Colle delle Finestre climb that he saw his window and rode away from rivals to glory.
The Englishman’s journey was one of perseverance and determination, with Yates privately targeting the climb since the route was announced. He remained focused on a stage win rather than the overall title, but Visma’s experience proved vital in helping him bury his rivals on the final climb.
Yates’ achievement has touched many people, including those who had been following his struggles over the years. As he said, “Life comes around, it gives and it takes.” This is not redemption but release – a sense of relief that Yates has finally achieved his goal after so much heartbreak.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/articles/clygzeep5r9o