Teams & Riders Brothers in (crank) arms - Yates Discussion Thread

[Netserk]

It's a bit funny that his stage win is the first non-Vingegaard one for the team since Vingegaard gifted the ITT to Van Aert in 2022 (otherwise Laporte would have been the previous one).

 

[jmdirt]

That's a bit surprising, but best wishes Simon!

 

[Rob5091]

An odd time to just step away, but best of luck in the future.
"I have been thinking about it for a long time, and it now feels like the right moment to step away from the sport."
Apparently Vingegaard's doing the Giro so no chance to defend his title so it's adios!

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Simon stops!

https://www.teamvismaleaseabike.com/news/news/simon-yates-ends-professional-cycling-career/

 

[Heston]

What

Angry about not being Giro captain this year?

 

[AlfaLum]

He could have made the decision before Visma decided to let Cian go. 😂

 

[SafeBet]

There aren't many riders I have cheered for more in tha last 5-6 years. Thank you Simon, I won't forget your Finestre. Actually both of your Finestre.

 

[Potomac]

The good news is when we hear or read "Yates" we'll know which one.

With his Giro win last May that qualifies as leaving while on top.

 

[Poursuivant]

A sad day but I don’t blame him, what a way to go, a great end to a fantastic career.

 

[pastronef]

rumors on Italian BDC-forum is he retires... then un-retires and signs for Q36.5
this would be fantastic
but I'm very Q36-Pidcock biased

 

[del1962]

He will still be riding grand tours, just every other day for UAE

On a serious note have a great retirement Simon

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Pretty stunning turn of events looking at it from the outside. I wish him all the best, but am curious (as everyone) what triggered this right now.

The tale of his fall and triumph on Finestre will be told forever.

 

[pastronef]

he wanted to come back to the Giro with the n.1 number and captain role. but Vingo opted for the Giro.

 

[tobydawq]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008892356746211478

View: https://x.com/irishpeloton/status/2008892356746211478

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I'm looking forward to seeing some remarkable recovery by Adam in stage races this year, almost as if he was getting rest days when no-one else is...

 

[Cookster15]

Quite a surprise but who can deny him. I actually forgot how old he was. Of course he left at the top after that memorable ride to win last year's Giro. Kudos Simon.

 

[pastronef]

from the Weightweenies forum

His motivation/happiness seemed a bit up and down already last year.

Can't help but thinking such a structured organization like VLAB doesn't help if you're coming from Jayco.

This week I actually learned that each VLAB rider gets a tailored bike set-up advice for each single day.

They tell you - in any case at training camps - up front which bike you need to ride (S5/R5), which gearing, which tires, which pressure. Even if you need to wear an aero helmet or not (!).

I think only a certain type of rider is a good fit long term with them.

Source: LSRF podcast (in Dutch).

 

[shalgo]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2008892356746211478

View: https://x.com/irishpeloton/status/2008892356746211478

Heras sort-of qualifies for this, even though he stopped riding at the end of 2005 due to a suspension rather than voluntarily (and only had his Vuelta win reinstated later).

 

[Salvarani]

from the Weightweenies forum

His motivation/happiness seemed a bit up and down already last year.

Can't help but thinking such a structured organization like VLAB doesn't help if you're coming from Jayco.

This week I actually learned that each VLAB rider gets a tailored bike set-up advice for each single day.

They tell you - in any case at training camps - up front which bike you need to ride (S5/R5), which gearing, which tires, which pressure. Even if you need to wear an aero helmet or not (!).

I think only a certain type of rider is a good fit long term with them.

Source: LSRF podcast (in Dutch).

One that cant think or feel at all for himself?

 

[Gigs_98]

Honestly a great moment to retire. The Giro 2018 collapse would have been the thing he was always gonna be remembered for and now instead he will always be remembered for one of the greatest redemption stories in the sports history. Can't finish on a higher note than that.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

I expect he will come up with a slightly more solid explanation.

It is not particularly collegial towards a team that has given him support, about the worst possible time for a team to lose a top rider, outside of the transfer season.

I choose to believe that out of the blue there is a serious incident in the personal sphere behind it.

If not, then it is extremely disrespectful towards the team, towards the riders.

 

[AlpRaid]

Heras sort-of qualifies for this, even though he stopped riding at the end of 2005 due to a suspension rather than voluntarily (and only had his Vuelta win reinstated later).

lol. Heras has zero relation. Only reinstated by a corrupt nationalistic federation.

I also laugh that Roglic is supposedly going for the Vuelta record (when he already holds it solo no matter what the Spanish Federation says).

 

[James M]

from the Weightweenies forum

This week I actually learned that each VLAB rider gets a tailored bike set-up advice for each single day.

They tell you - in any case at training camps - up front which bike you need to ride (S5/R5), which gearing, which tires, which pressure. Even if you need to wear an aero helmet or not (!).

I think only a certain type of rider is a good fit long term with them.

Source: LSRF podcast (in Dutch).

It’s not the first time a rider has spoken out about that strict approach they use is draining hasnt it been 1-2 just this off season alone from that team harping on this? It seems to be a recurring theme.

Wouldnt suprise me if Visma leadership Plugge and co showed down the throat of the riders their own inferior complex on a daily basis either. must be tiring.

 

[James M]

Even so, cant help but agree with others about the timing of all this, with factors like Cian and the announcement just now in Jan, seems odd. They just signed him to, several things. That said good way to go out if theres no more motivation, he couldnt ask for a better personal season to do that.

 

[KZD]

Yates redemption on the Finestre during last year's Giro was one of the best cycling stories in a while.

He ends his career with a very good palmares with the 2018 Vuelta and the 2025 Giro being the highlights. Chapeau Simon.