Adam Yates ready to go on the offensive in Critérium du Dauphiné final mountain test
The young British rider says he doesn't prosper quite as well on the long climbs of the Alps, but is hoping to make some waves on the slightly shorter climbs of stage seven

Adam Yates may change tack and go on the offensive at the Critérium du Dauphiné tomorrow having been able to consistently mix with the main contenders in the mountains.
The 23-year-old was not as comfortable on the longer climbs that featured in stage six today as yesterday’s punchier run where he finished third behind race leader Chris Froome (Sky) and Richie Porte (BMC).
Still, Yates stayed with the main group in the 141km queen stage from La Rochette to the category one uphill finish in Méribel, which Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) won, and sits seventh overall with one day remaining.
“Today we did, what, it says there 4400m climbing in 145km, so that’s 2000m more climbing than yesterday and a similar distance. It was much tougher out there,” he said, pointing to his power meter.
Watch: Yates v Yates
“I never feel as good on them [long climbs]. Like yesterday, you’re six kilometres from the finish line and you do the first couple of kilometres and you’re near the top, so you’re not thinking about it. Whereas today, you do six kilometres and you’ve got another six kilometres to go.
“With the way the stage went, with [Alberto] Contador attacking all the time, it was real tough and the last climb I had nothing to really offer. I was just on the wheel trying to hold on to the finish.
“If you feel good you can do something but the past few days I’ve just been following. Hopefully, I feel better tomorrow and I can actually attack and try and gain some seconds back.”
Yates rolled in one minute and 17 seconds behind Pinot for eighth today and is one minute and two seconds in arrears of Froome on the general classification.
Asked if he would have to learn to adapt to longer ascents, the burgeoning climber bound for the Tour de France next month said it was difficult to do.
“It’s hard to train on the long climbs all the time, even back in Girona,” he said. “There’s not many 20km climbs. There’s a lot of 10km climbs, a lot of 5km climbs but 20km you have to be in the Alps or Pyrenees.
“I wouldn’t say I’m atrocious at climbing the longer ones but I just much prefer the shorter ones. Mentally it’s that confidence to attack and be up there with the best guys in the world, then it makes a big difference.
“Tomorrow [Sunday] is a little bit more suited to me, a bit more like yesterday, shorter, so we’ll give it a go.”
The Dauphiné finishes on Sunday with a 151km run from Le Pont-de-Claix to Superdevoluy.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, television reporter and presenter, who has provided coverage for Cycling Weekly from races across the world. She has covered eight Tours de France, as well as reporting for national and international newspapers as well as other magazines.
Follow Sophie Smith on Twitter and Instagram:
Instagram: sophiesmith86
Twitter: @SophieSmith86
-
-
Stages SB20 exercise bike: a bulletproof home trainer?
A robust indoor training bike with tons of adjustability and a very heavy flywheel
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan • Published
-
Why is the UCI cracking down on number pockets at the Tour after it approved them six years ago?
Is the forthcoming ban on window number pockets really necessary? We ask Nopinz, the creators of the original 'Speedpocket', what the reasoning is behind the UCI's actions
By Hannah Bussey • Published
-
'I had proper fever and chills' - Adam Yates bounces back from Covid for Tour de France
British rider heads to fifth Tour de France as one of Ineos Grenadiers' leader, but with doubts over form
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Covid threatens to disrupt Tour de France line-up
Virus sweeps through the peloton at key preparation races with Tour de Suisse race leader Vlasov forced to abandon
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Adam Yates out of Tour de Suisse with covid
Brit returns a positive test for coronavirus but the rest of Ineos Grenadiers will race on in Switzerland.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
After 'fighting with the best guys', Ben O'Connor is proud of his Critérium du Dauphiné podium
Australian heads into Tour de France with best WorldTour stage result in his pocket
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Can anyone stop the Jumbo juggernaut? Five talking points from the Critérium du Dauphiné
Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič are the best at the French race, but the Tour de France is another level up
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard wins stage eight of the Critérium du Dauphiné as Roglič triumphs on GC
It was a dominant display from the Jumbo Visma pair who crossed the line hand in hand and secured a 1-2 on GC
By Adam Hart • Published
-
Carlos Verona holds off Primož Roglič to win stage seven of the Critérium du Dauphiné
Verona proved to be the strongest rider in the breakaway as he time-trialled up the final climb to victory
By Adam Hart • Published
-
A 'dangerous mistake' — Juan Sebastián Molano disqualified from Critérium du Dauphiné for hitting Hugo Page
Colombian sprinted thrown out of race after striking Frenchman on camera late on Friday's stage
By Adam Becket • Published