Adam Yates: Britain has many cards to play in World Champs road race

22-year-old Adam Yates seeks to gain valuable experience in the long men's road race at the 2014 Road World Championships

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Great Britain’s Adam Yates wants to gain experience in one-day races when he lines up in Sunday’s World Championship road race. He is part of a nine-man team in Ponferrada, Spain, that besides twin brother Simon, includes Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Ben Swift.

“We have not had a proper meeting yet, but we have quite a lot of cards to play,” Yates told Cycling Weekly. “Obviously with Swift, we can sprint, and we have Pete Kennaugh and ‘G’ [Thomas] who can go in moves. We have many options and cards to play.”

Yates explained that he could have his chance depending on how the race develops, but that the 254.8-kilometre race in northwest Spain will mostly serve as a stepping stone in his young career.

The 22-year-old in his first professional year with team Orica-GreenEdge, won the Tour of Turkey and the GP Industria & Artigianato. He placed sixth the Critérium du Dauphiné and raced his first grand tour, the Vuelta a España. However, he has never gone such a distance in a one-day race.

Race Winner, Adam Yates on the podium after the final stage of the 2014 Tour of Turkey

Adam Yates on the podium after the final stage of the 2014 Tour of Turkey

“I would have been up there with at least a top five had I not crashed in [the Clásica] San Sebastián,” Yates said of the 219.2-kilometre race in August.

“I’ve had bigger results in stage races this year, but I don’t want to just make myself a stage racer and focus on those, I want to develop in one-day races as well and become a complete rider. These races are experience for future one-day races and it’ll give me a chance to do something. This year, it’s just a learning experience.”

Yates arrived in Leon, 110 kilometres east of Ponferrada, on Friday morning. He will not have a chance to see the 18.2-kilometre circuit, instead going for a light training ride near Leon today, but said that he feels comfortable with what is to come. He spoke to his other team-mates and GB staff who have seen the course, replayed the team’s video footage and watched Friday’s races.

“We are going to let the other teams work, like Australia with Simon Gerrans, and play our chances with Swift. But the Worlds is so unpredictable with national teams, so we have to be ready for something else. For me, it’s just a great moment to put on the national colours, I don’t get to do so very often, and to gain experience.”

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