Simon Yates reveals Adam Yates role in his transfer to Team Visma | Lease a Bike: "I got advice from him, yes"

Simon Yates is embarking on a new chapter in his cycling career, joining Team Visma | Lease a Bike for the 2025 season. After over a decade with Jayco-AlUla, the move marks a significant change for the British rider, who reflected on the challenges of leaving the team he called home for so long.

"The trainer I had in Jayco, Josh Hunt, is one of my best mates," Yates shared. "So it was difficult to leave. He'd only joined in 2020, but we had a fantastic relationship, so that was one of those things I'll miss. There were my own mechanics, my own soigneur, I had the whole team around me, and they were all there for me at races. So it wasn't not easy to change. But I had to make that sacrifice."

Simon’s twin brother Adam Yates, who left Jayco in 2021, played a key role in Simon’s transition by offering advice on the move. However, Simon was clear that Adam’s earlier departure wasn’t a driving factor behind his decision.

"I got advice from him, yes, because we're really close and after the proposal came in, we spoke. But seeing how he'd done wasn't the reason to go," Simon explained. "I was comfortable at Jayco and enjoyed my time there, but I'd never changed teams before, so I didn't know what it was going to be like. It gave me confidence that I did make the change, it was going to be ok."

Simon Yates is set to debut for Visma at the Giro d’Italia, the Grand Tour where he famously came close to victory in 2018. However, he expressed mixed feelings about the 2025 route.

"It's not the best I've ever seen, it's pretty uninspiring really. I would prefer a much harder start," he commented. "Don't get me wrong, it's going to be a difficult start in Albania there, but some of my best Giro GCs have been when it's been a really hard first few days like on Mount Etna or even two years ago in the Tour, too, in Bilbao."

Yates elaborated on his preference for a challenging opening. "I prefer that, because the riders finish their altitude camp and they're ready to race. But then we go to the race and we have to wait 10 days to have some action. It's a bit boring, almost."

Looking ahead to the race, Simon acknowledged the growing list of general classification contenders, including his brother Adam. Despite fan excitement about the potential sibling rivalry, Simon downplayed its significance. "Of course, it's nice to say - win or nothing. But as the days tick by, more and more guys are throwing their names into the GC ring," he noted. "These include, of course, his own brother Adam, with the fans keenly anticipating a duel which Simon is keen to play down as 'something the media's very interested in, but the truth is we've been rivals since he left Orica.'"