Simon Yates proud to help teammate Chris Harper reach sixth place in Catalunya: "He helps me out so much during the rest of the year. It's nice to be able to give that back"

Team Jayco AlUla didn't go for their traditional leader at Volta a Catalunya. While Simon Yates had just recovered from an illness, he had a rare opportunity to switch roles with his loyal domestique Chris Harper and assist the Australian in one of his career best results.  

"I definitely had my arse kicked, but I expected that. I didn't come here in good condition," Simon Yates begins his analysis of the race self-critically for Cyclingnews. "But we knew Chris Harper was doing well, so I came here to support him too."

Read also

"Wout's injuries are not too bad" - Visma clear Van Aert for high intensity training and Tour of Flanders is not at risk

"I enjoy helping Chris, he helps me out so much during the rest of the year. It's nice to be able to give that back. I'd like to have been able to do more, but that's all that I have in the legs at the minute," he said.

Regarding his ambitions, Yates said it had been more a question of getting through each stage as it came along. Or as he put it himself, "I've just trying to get through the days as good as possible, and do my best."

Read also

"In the Classics, nobody is unbeatable" - Fabian Cancellara previews open Tour of Flanders with several contenders

"It’s hell on a bike" - Laurence Pithie on racing with Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen at Gent - Wevelgem