"Every edition I start, is a real privilege" - Simon Yates leads Jayco AlUla's GC ambitions at the Tour de France

For the sixth time in his career, Simon Yates is heading to the Tour de France. The former Vuelta a Espana winner leads the general classification ambitions of Team Jayco AlUla.

“On paper it looks really good and a course that suits me quite well, so I’m really looking forward to this year’s edition," Yates tells his team's official website after the team announced their lineup for the race. "I always love racing in the Basque Country, so to be starting there is very special. The narrow roads, the steep climbs, the amazing Basque fans, I think it is going to be really memorable."

A winner of two Tour de France stage wins and a top 10 finisher in 2017, Yates has DNF'd at four of his last five Grand Tours. As such, the upcoming race could be seen as a big race for Yates as he looks to confirm his ability to still be an elite general classification rider.

"We have a well-built team and clear objectives, for me of course the goals are in the mountains. I had a different build up to the Tour this year with less racing and more training and I have good sensations, so we will see," he says. "As we’ll be targeting sprint stages with Dylan, it will be full on for us with a dual approach and everyone is very excited to get started. It’s the Tour, everyone wants to be a part of it, and every edition I start, is a real privilege.”