Simon Yates Triumphs at Giro d’Italia, Overcoming Years of Setbacks to Claim First Victory

Posted : 02 June 2025

Simon Yates has long had a complicated relationship with the Giro d’Italia. Despite his deep love for the race, the British cyclist has faced harsh setbacks that could have easily soured his feelings. In 2018, Yates appeared poised for victory, holding the leader’s jersey for 13 days and winning three stages, only to suffer a dramatic collapse just two days from the finish in Rome. Subsequent years brought illness, injury, and inconsistent form, forcing him to withdraw or finish far from the top, making his pursuit of the Giro title a tortuous journey.

After a two-year absence, Yates returned to the Giro this year with quiet determination but was not among the pre-race favorites. Throughout the race, he stayed patient, steadily maintaining his position without drawing too much attention.

It was on stage 20, riding up the Colle delle Finestre—the very climb where he had faltered in 2018—that Yates made a bold attack. He broke away from the leading riders, seizing the maglia rosa, and carried that lead through to the final stage in Rome, where he celebrated his first Giro victory and second Grand Tour win after his 2018 Vuelta a España triumph.

Yates’ move to the Visma-Lease a Bike team proved pivotal. Leaving his longtime team Jayco–AlUla after his twin brother Adam departed, Yates joined Visma and benefited from their proven Grand Tour experience. The Dutch outfit’s strategic strength and support, including the aid of star Wout van Aert, were instrumental in Yates’ race-winning performance.

Unlike previous years, Yates adopted a more measured, strategic approach, avoiding early attacks and focusing on the right moment to strike. Despite not winning any stages this year—a first for a Giro winner since Alberto Contador in 2015—his timing and resilience proved decisive.

This victory feels less like redemption and more like a release for Yates. The emotional weight he carried since 2018 lifted as he crossed the finish line, tears reflecting years of setbacks and determination.

Looking ahead, Yates plans to support teammate Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour de France but could still chase stage wins himself. His Giro triumph closes a difficult chapter, but it may also open the door to new ambitions. As Yates reflected, “Life comes around, it gives and it takes,” marking a moment not of redemption, but of relief and celebration.

Simon Yates Triumphs at Giro d’Italia, Overcoming Years of Setbacks to Claim First Victory

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