Both Yates brothers to ride the Tour de France

Team Mitchelton-Scott have announced that Simon Yates will ride in support of his brother Adam at this year’s Tour de France. It will be the first time the twins have competed together at the race since 2015.

Adam supported Simon for his Vuelta a Espana last year, but with Simon already having ridden the Giro d’Italia this season, Adam will be considered team leader for the Tour.

“Our primary goal is to give Adam Yates every chance possible to arrive on the podium come Paris, but our secondary goal is also to win a stage,” said sport director, Matt White.

“We have a good combination of riders who can help achieve those goals, and to get a result as a key GC rider, you are very much reliant on the strength of the team. If we can continue to support Adam as we did Simon at the Giro then this will only enhance Adam’s chances of a solid result. 

“On a climbing front we will have Simon Yates in a super domestic role. His primary goal is to be there for his brother Adam and to return the favour from the Vuelta last year.”

Adam was recently forced to withdraw from the Critérium du Dauphiné due to illness, but confirmed he has fully recovered.

“After Dauphine I’ve managed to come back around pretty quick, back into full training and feeling good so hopefully it was just a minor bump.

“The Tour this year is a tough one, especially towards the end of the race. I checked out stages 18, 19, 20 just before Dauphine and three stages like that back-to-back at the very end of the race will be sure to have some fireworks.

“Not only that, but there’s some real tricky stages like stage six to Planche des Belles Filles, which I know quite well from when I raced for CC Etupes and lived in France. So overall a very tough route with some challenging terrain.”

Ahead of the Giro, Simon said he considered himself the favourite, saying: “If I was in my rivals’ position, I would be scared. I would be shitting myself.”

Adam adopted a rather more cautious tone when evaluating his chances in France.

“A couple years ago I was fourth and not far from the podium, I don’t really want to put a marker on what I want to achieve, I just know I’ll like to go better than previously and with the condition and consistency I’ve had this year I don’t see why not.”

Mitchelton-Scott team:

• Luke Durbridge (AUS, 28) – 6th TDF appearance
• Jack Haig (AUS, 25) – TDF debut
• Michael Hepburn (AUS, 27) – 2nd TDF appearance
• Daryl Impey (RSA, 34) – 7th TDF appearance
• Chris Juul-Jensen (DEN, 29) – 2nd TDF appearance
• Matteo Trentin (ITA, 29) – 5th TDF appearance
• Adam Yates (GBR, 26) – 4th TDF appearance
• Simon Yates (GBR, 26) – 4th TDF appearance