"If it was anyone, it would be my brother” – Adam Yates speaks out as brother Simon snatches maglia rosa from Isaac del Toro
Cycling
On the very mountain where he saw his Grand Tour dreams fall
apart seven years ago, Simon Yates finally found redemption. The Brit has
sensationally won the 2025 Giro d’Italia, delivering a devastating attack on
the Colle delle Finestre to seize the maglia rosa on the penultimate day of the
race.
It was Chris Harper who claimed victory on Stage 20, but all
eyes were on the chaos unfolding behind. In a dramatic GC showdown, Richard
Carapaz and Isaac del Toro waged war in the pink jersey battle, only for Team
Visma | Lease a Bike to emerge from the shadows with a calculated and ruthless
move that ultimately crowned Simon Yates as Giro champion.
Yates’ triumph was as emotionally charged as it was
tactically brilliant, as the climb that cost him everything in 2018 became the
site of his greatest triumph. And yet, while Simon was basking in victory, his
twin brother Adam Yates was left to process a complex mix of pride and pain.
Because the man Simon dethroned was Adam’s own teammate, UAE
Team Emirates – XRG prodigy Isaac del Toro. In the aftermath of the fireworks,
Adam Yates spoke to the media, trying to make sense of a day that will be
remembered for years to come.
"I don't know exactly what happened, but we can't be
disappointed," the British climber began in his interview. "We rode
very well for three weeks, and Isaac is still very young. I don't even know how
old he is, he's like 21 or something. It's his first Giro, and he still has
many years ahead of him."
Isaac del Toro had been holding the race lead heading into
the final mountain test, but under relentless pressure from both Carapaz and
Yates, his grip on pink finally slipped. UAE’s long-term project showed promise
throughout the race, but experience, and perhaps fatigue, played its role on a
brutal day in the Alps.
"We raced well, but if one person rides so crazy,
whether it's Pogacar or my brother, then it is what it is, someone has better
legs than you," Adam added. "You have to take the blow on the jaw,
and accept it. We didn't win, we can't be disappointed."
It was a moment of supreme sporting irony: the Yates twins,
whose careers have long run in parallel, were suddenly cast as indirect rivals
in one of cycling’s most dramatic Grand Tour finales. Adam, part of the UAE
machine trying to shepherd a young leader to glory. Simon, the outsider turned
opportunist, rewriting the narrative of his own career.
And yet, in the face of emotional whiplash, Adam’s
admiration for his brother shone through, "If it was anyone, it would be
my brother. I'm happy for him, I can still congratulate him and celebrate a
little. Tomorrow we will celebrate with the team and enjoy the past three
weeks."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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