Simon Yates praises Tour de France field: "The level is just very high"

Finishing 5th on the stage 16 individual time-trial at the 2023 Tour de France, Simon Yates remains in 8th position in the general classification. Whilst he hopes for better he realises the quality is incredibly high in the race.

"I felt okay. I didn't have a bad day, especially after two rest days," said the 30-year-old British leader of Team Jayco AlUla in a post-stage interview following the conclusion of his individual time-trial. "I was a little bloated at the end today."

Sitting 13:46 down on Jonas Vingegaard after the Dane simply sensational stage win, Yates is nearly five minutes behind his twin brother Adam Yates who is currently holding the third spot on the podium. Nevertheless, the Team Jayco AlUla leader isn't giving up hope of still rising further in the general classification.

"Jumbo in particular will decide who can ride away in the stages and whether a break can take the win," says Yates. "In any case, I am not happy with the position where I am now in the standings. But the level is just very high. I'm trying to do something else."