Adam Yates has mixed feelings about the spectacular outcome of the Giro d’Italia. Teammate Isaac del Toro wore the pink jersey until Saturday, but it is twin brother Simon Yates who will win this edition.
Del Toro had the pink jersey in his possession for almost two weeks. On Saturday, the Mexican of UAE Team Emirates started the penultimate stage with a lead of 1.21 minutes over Yates.
But while Del Toro was mainly concerned with number two Richard Carapaz, Simon Yates broke away on the Colle delle Finestre. The leader of Visma-Lease a Bike moved further and further away and turned his deficit to Del Toro and Carapaz into a comfortable lead.
As a result, Adam Yates and his teammates from UAE saw the final victory slip through their fingers. “If someone else has to win, then it should be my brother…”, Adam Yates reacted afterwards. “I am happy for him and I will congratulate him.”
“If someone rides so crazy, whether it’s Tadej Pogacar or my brother, then it is what it is. Then that person has the best legs. We have to accept this. We didn’t win, but we don’t have to be disappointed.”
Adam Yates also didn’t want to be too hard on Del Toro. The Mexican was initially second man behind Juan Ayuso and quickly grew into a leader, but fell short of the final victory at the last moment. “Isaac is only 21 years old, it is his first Giro and he has many years ahead of him.”
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