'I was never gonna win the sprint was I?': Adam Yates satisfied with third on Tour de France stage two
The Brit promises to ride aggressively for the rest of the French Grand Tour
Adam Yates said he was happy to settle for third on stage three of the Tour de France 2020, realising the limits of his abilities when up against Julian Alaphilippe in a sprint finish, especially with the Frenchman's appetite for the yellow jersey.
"In the final I got away with the two guys. The little fella [Marc Hirschi] was not contributing much but in the end we started working well," Yates said after the finish. "And then I was never going to win the sprint was I? So I think third was the best I could have got out of that situation."
After a bruising day for the peloton on stage one, the two category one climbs on day two provided little relief, with Yates saying he could already sense the tired legs in the bunch.
"It was a really hard day out. Even the climbs at the beginning were ridden at a good solid pace. You could feel the fatigue, you could see a lot of people suffering just like me.
>>> Julian Alaphilippe takes yellow jersey with Tour de France 2020 stage two victory
"Jumbo-Visma were riding quite a hard pace anyway, so I waited until a little steep bit and then jumped across and tried to work straight away.
"All in all a good day."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The finish along the Promenade des Anglais would have provided some perfect nominative determinism, but the Brit ended up on the front on the run-in to the line and also didn't have the power when faced with a headwind along the seafront.
"It was a block headwind and I ended up on the front. So not a good scenario for me there. But like I said, I was probably never going to win that sprint anyway, they are both faster than me. So yeah, have to be happy with third."
Expect to see more from the Mitchelton-Scott rider in his final Tour for the Australian squad before his move to Ineos, as he has been set on riding an attacking Tour since the start of the year.
"I said to the team last winter that I wanted to come to the Tour and be aggressive in the first week, and they’ve allowed me to do that," Yates said.
"So here we are: stage two. Amongst it. And plenty more opportunities to go."
Thank you for reading 20 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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Giro d'Italia 2024 start list: Geraint Thomas to lead "aggressive" Ineos Grenadiers
All the teams and riders for the 107th Giro d'Italia
By Adam Becket Published
-
Giant files lawsuit and recruits top Stages Cycling staff as power meter brand closes down
Giant filed a suit against Stages in February and four team members left the latter to join Giant
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
'I've not really had any bad races, I've been consistent throughout' - Adam Yates on his best year yet
The unassuming Lancastrian was thrust into the spotlight this year when he took the Tour's first yellow jersey and held it for eight days
By Adam Becket Published
-
Adam Yates says ‘less pressure’ key to Tour de France third
UAE Team Emirates co-leader says he still thinks Tadej Pogačar is the best rider in the world despite defeat by Jonas Vingegaard
By Vern Pitt Published
-
A one-two was always the dream: Simon and Adam Yates' mum on a wild start to the Tour de France
‘There would have been a lot of banter afterwards’ says the mother of the UAE and Jayco-AIUla riders
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Adam Yates: Going one-two with your twin brother at the Tour de France, not many can say that
Adam beats Simon Yates in Bilbao, but says his brother will be a 'pain in the ass' in the coming weeks
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘A perfect week for us’ – Adam Yates wraps up overall title in Romandie
Briton will now turn his focus to preparing for the Tour de France
By Peter Cossins Published
-
Adam Yates insists his Grand Tour dream is not over: 'When I am at my best, I am amongst the best'
The Briton admits that one week racing is his strength but hasn't given up on the Grand Tour dream
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Adam Yates leaves Ineos Grenadiers for UAE Team Emirates
British rider agrees three year deal with new team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘He came to me and said Jumbo are struggling’ - Tadej Pogačar seeks alliance with Geraint Thomas
With a depleted team the UAE Emirates leader was looking for allies on stage 14, he didn’t find them at Ineos Grenadiers
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published