Simon Yates: I worked hard to come back and get this Vuelta win

Simon Yates says he expected to be in top form for the Vuelta a España after fighting hard during his suspension to come into the final part of the season as strongly as possible

Simon Yates.

(Image credit: Yuzuru Sunada)

Simon Yates missed the Tour de France and returned from a suspension to rocket to his first grand tour stage victory today when the Vuelta a España arrived in Luintra, in Spain's far northwest. He rebounded quickly, but the Orica-BikeExchange Brit says, "I worked hard and I didn't expect anything else."

Yates attacked at four kilometres out on an uphill, dropped his companion and passed the lone leader Mathias Frank (IAM Cycling) at 3.6km remaining. He stayed clear over the top, descended and soloed to his biggest win up the final 800 metres. Crossing the line, he let out a roar.

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