Roglic's main rival? Simon Yates confirms battles with Slovenian at Giro d'Italia and Volta a Catalunya; Supports Vingegaard at Tour de France

Simon Yates was the man Team Visma | Lease a Bike signed with the highest hopes of providing the team with the firepower to match UAE Team Emirates - XRG at the Tour de France. However, the Briton is very much having his own ambitions besides supporting Jonas Vingegaard, as his schedule will feature the Giro d'Italia and the exact same preparation race as Primoz Roglic.

“It's always exciting to leave a familiar environment behind you. I rode with the same team for a long time, but this was a decision I had to make. I want to be the best version of myself, which is possible within this team," Yates said in a press release. "It was a great experience to get to know all the new faces, but also to test out the equipment.”

Yates starts off his season as the team leader at Tirreno-Adriatico, a race he won back in 2020. The following week he teams up with none other than Jonas Vingegaard at the Volta a Catalunya as the two battle Roglic. Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogacar will not be present in any of those stage-races, whilst none of the 'big 4' are likely to take part in Itzulia Basque Country or Tour de Romandie this spring.

"Normally I start in Tirreno-Adriatico, a stage race I already managed to win once in 2020. I haven't been there for a while in the meantime, so I'm happy I'll be able to race there again. Shortly after that, I'm heading to the Volta a Catalunya. As always, that will be a tough but beautiful race.”

Wout van Aert and Olav Kooij will have their own ambitions at the Giro d'Italia, but the Dutch team have presented their weapon in the pursuit of victory in Italy. “My biggest goal in 2025 will be the Giro. It's a race I have a lot of memories of - good and bad - so it inspires me to go for it once again". He will face the mythical Colle delle Finestre on the final day in the mountains, certainly hoping there will not be a deja vu this spring.

Yates will be given several opportunities to lead, as was the case with his twin brother Adam when he left for UAE. The two will be amongst the main favourites to win the Giro d'Italia, and will then support Vingegaard and Pogacar respectively at the Tour de France as luxury domestiques.

“The next goal for me will be the Tour de France, where I want to help Jonas secure another overall victory. It's exciting to soon be part of the team around someone like Jonas," the Briton admits. "I am motivated to assist him. I expect another battle against Tadej Pogacar, a teammate of my twin brother Adam. Both my brother and I will have the same role in support of our leaders, so that will be something to look forward to”

The former Team Jayco AlUla rider has been training with the team for the past month, and the thought of an evolution as was the case with some of his teammates excites him. “I already notice that the team places enormous value on a perfect environment and on details”, he adds. “The approach was definitely one of the reasons why I chose this team. I want to keep improving myself. It is often in the smallest details, so that is definitely where I can still make gains. I am therefore looking forward to the start of the season.”