'Hopefully, here I can take another step' - Simon Yates upbeat about Giro d'Italia despite double preparation setbacks of illness and being hit by car

Team Visma-Lease a Bike's British rider Simon Yates waves during the presentation prior to the 3th stage of the 108th Giro d'Italia cycling race 160kms from Vlore to Vlore in Albania on May 11, 2025. (Photo by Luca Bettini / AFP).

The same but different. Simon Yates is once again back at the Giro d'Italia as a contender, a role the 32-year-old climber has had on so many occasions in the past: But this time, rather than leading for Jayco-AIUIa, Yates finds himself in the unfamiliar position of heading the Visma-Lease a Bike squad's GC Giro bid after switching squads over the winter.

Rather than being the main focus of attention, the Briton is part of a team that also includes Belgian allrounder Wout van Aert and sprinter Olav Kooij. That's not to mention two riders with their own, very successful, Giro d'Italia careers, former top-five finisher and longstanding 2016 race leader Stephen Kruijswijk and Wilco Kelderman, a podium finisher in 2020.