Simon Yates breaks the silence: "Me flying under the radar doesn't have to be a disadvantage"

A seventh-place finish in five participations, that's Yates' best result in the Tour de France thus far. In recent years, he has often focused on the Giro d'Italia, his favorite Grand Tour. So why is he back in France now? "I felt the winds of change blowing. In past years, I mainly focused on the Giro, which is still a race close to my heart. With a different season buildup, I was able to participate in races like the Tour de Romandie and Tour of the Basque Country, which I also enjoy."

However, after his withdrawal from the Swiss stage race, there was a long period of silence surrounding the British rider. "I faced some health hiccups during the preparation, so we decided to stay at altitude. We believed that a high-altitude training camp would be the best preparation. I was able to put in some solid training there and get myself ready for the Tour that way."

When asked, Yates admits that the words 'general classification' aren't at the front of his mind. "We'll take it as it comes. It's been a long time since I last went for a general classification in the Tour," says the climber. "As we progress in the race, we'll see how I develop. Personally, I wouldn't mind pursuing other goals, such as hunting for stage wins from breakaways."

In the first days, Yates - who has been successful multiple times in the Basque Country in the past - also sees opportunities. "I'm looking forward to the challenging start here in the Basque Country, which will likely alleviate some of the pressure. A Tour start is always a wild affair, but it seems to be a bit more selective than a start in, let's say, Normandy or Brittany."

He also keeps a watchful eye on the opening weekend, with finishes in Bilbao and San Sebastian. "I think every climber sees the first two stages as an option. It's not often that you get the chance to grab the yellow jersey in the first stage of the Tour, so I believe many riders are going to race aggressively. For me, it's a very good opportunity. I always enjoy racing in the Basque Country - the fans are phenomenal. They truly love the sport, and it's wonderful to see."

Finally, Yates acknowledges that he may not be moved towards the front as often as in recent Grand Tours, but it doesn't bother him much. "My mindset isn't any different from other Grand Tours. I still have the same focus, and me flying under the radar doesn't have to be a disadvantage. On the contrary, even."