ANALYSIS | Adam Yates vs Simon Yates: Who comes out on top in the battle of UAE Team Emirates and Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s super domestiques?
Cycling
We’re just a few months away now from seeing Adam Yates and Simon Yates take each other on, in a battle between cycling’s two biggest teams. With Simon set to join Team Visma | Lease a Bike in 2025, he’ll be riding in support of two time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard, and going up against his brother Adam and three time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar of the mighty UAE Team Emirates.
Ahead of this battle of brothers, we think it’s a good time to look at how each brother compares. Who’s had the better career so far? Who has the better wins? And who will be a better teammate for the sports best two riders going into 2025? Let’s take a look and see if we can come to a conclusion.
Background
Simon and Adam Yates, identical twins from Bury, Greater Manchester, have been key figures the cycling world over the last decade, with their parallel careers and unique brotherly rivalry. Born on August 7, 1992, the brothers grew up in a family with a strong sporting tradition. Their father, John Yates, was an avid track cyclist, and this early exposure to cycling set the stage for their journey into the professional ranks.
The brothers’ talent was evident from a young age, and they first gained attention on the British Cycling Academy program, a development pipeline that has produced some of the country’s top riders. Both brothers made their mark in the under-23 ranks, and their early careers were intertwined, often racing together and supporting each other. Despite their identical looks, their riding styles and personalities began to set them apart. Adam is often described as more reserved, focusing on consistency and careful race strategy, while Simon has been known for his aggressive riding and eagerness to attack.
Their rise to professional cycling began in earnest when they joined the Australian team Orica-GreenEdge (now Team Jayco AlUla) in 2014. They quickly became integral parts of the squad, with Simon winning his first Grand Tour stage at the 2018 Vuelta a Espana and Adam achieving top-ten finishes in the Tour de France, only just missing out on the podium in 4th in 2016. Over the years, the brothers have maintained a close relationship, often training together despite racing for separate teams in more recent years. As their careers have progressed, their paths have gone in different directions, and the 2025 season marks a turning point as they are now set to go head to head with two teams intent on beating each other.
Their sibling rivalry has always been underpinned by mutual respect and support, but the stage is now set for a new chapter. With Simon joining Visma | Lease a Bike and Adam firmly part of UAE Team Emirates, their battles are about to go to a whole new level.
Who’s had the better career to date?
When comparing their careers, Simon Yates stands out on paper due to his victory at the 2018 Vuelta a España victory, the moment where he secured his place amongst the sport’s very best. Grand Tour wins are the ultimate marker of success in professional cycling, and Simon’s aggressive riding style, combined with his ability to excel in the mountains, made him a worthy champion. He also boasts an impressive 10 Grand Tour stage wins, compared to Adam’s two, so on paper Simon’s got the beating of his brothers at cycling’s three biggest stage races.
However, Adam has definitely got a case too, particularly in recent years. Known for his steady performances in stage races, Adam has a higher number of overall victories in one-week races, including the UAE Tour, the Volta a Catalunya, and the Deutschland Tour. He has consistently performed at a high level over the years, earning him a reputation as one of the most reliable climbers in the peloton. According to ProCyclingStats, Simon has accumulated more wins overall (34 to Adam’s 29), but Adam’s victories often come in higher-profile races.
The 2023 Tour de France provided probably the most memorable moment of their rivalry. On the opening stage in Bilbao, the Yates brothers broke away from the peloton together, producing a brilliant brother vs brother battle. Ultimately, Adam prevailed, crossing the line first to claim the yellow jersey and Tour de France stage for the first time in his career. That year, Adam just beat Simon to the podium at the Tour, where the twins finished behind Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar,
The form book in recent years has arguably shifted in Adam’s favour. While Simon has continued to deliver strong performances, his results have been less consistent compared to his peak years, and he wasn’t at his best at this years tour. Meanwhile, Adam’s role at UAE Team Emirates, supporting Tadej Pogacar, has seemingly elevated his level, and he looks like he could be in his prime right now.
Simon’s move to Visma | Lease a Bike in 2025 signifies a transition to a super-domestique role for Jonas Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner, a role he has never taken on before. In contrast, Adam has already embraced a similar role at UAE Team Emirates, helping Pogacar to this year’s Tour whilst still managing to finish 6th himself.
Ultimately, the debate over who has had the better career so far is subjective. Simon’s Grand Tour win gives him a big edge in terms of accolades, but Adam’s performances in recent years have started to tip the scale in his favour. But could the Yates rivalry be turned on its head again in 2025?
A look to the future
As the Yates brothers gear up for the 2025 season, their roles within two of cycling’s most dominant teams set the stage for a fascinating new chapter in their careers. Both will transition fully into the super-domestique role, supporting the sport’s two brightest stars: Jonas Vingegaard at Visma | Lease a Bike for Simon, and Tadej Pogacar at UAE Team Emirates for Adam.
Having spent the majority of his career as a team leader, Simon now steps into a support role alongside some of the world’s top climbers. In his new capacity, Simon will be tasked with shielding Vingegaard in the mountains, setting a punishing pace, and neutralizing any attacks from the likes of Pogacar or Remco Evenepoel. For a rider of Simon’s pedigree, this transition may seem like a step down, but it highlights just how important a super strong team is in grand tour racing. Visma | Lease a Bike were heavily underpowered compared to UAE at this year’s Tour, and Simon’s addition is one the team hopes to address that.
Adam, meanwhile, has thrived in his role at UAE Team Emirates since his move in 2023. Having spent the past two seasons supporting Pogacar, Adam has proven himself as one of the best climbers in the peloton in his own right. His performances in key stages of the Tour de France, particularly in the mountains, have solidified his value as a domestique who can also contend for stage wins when given the opportunity. Particularly in the 2023 Tour, Adam was so good that he managed to rescue a decent result for the team on the worst day of Pogacar’s career, on the Col de la Loze.
Next season will see the brother’s relationship go through it’s greatest test yet. With Simon working to help Vingegaard reclaim his crown and Adam hoping to help Pogacar chase down Eddy Merckx’s records, their roles will be about more than just who is a better climber. The Tour de France, in particular, will be a spectacle to watch, as the Yates brothers will undoubtedly be tasked with trying to put each other down and out.
As they approach their mid-30s, the Yates brothers are entering a new phase of their careers. Whilst in the early days they both wanted to win grand tours themselves, it seems that the time for that has now passed. They’ve both now got a crucial role to play in one of cycling’s most legendary rivalries, but will it be Adam, or Simon, who comes out on top?
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- oh, crap, maybe i’m OBSESSIVE! i’ll have to spend some time thinking about that, over and over, as if it were a looped tape, playing in over and over and over in my head, forever…OCexile05-01-2025
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- Correct, creates engagement.awp05-01-2025
- Born in Flanders ;-)Mistermaumau05-01-2025