Simon Yates Makes History with Podium Finish at Giro dell’Emilia

Tour de France standout Simon Yates has secured a remarkable third-place finish at the Giro dell’Emilia, becoming the first British cyclist to achieve a podium finish at the event since 1977.

Yates showcased his climbing prowess as he tackled the challenging San Luca climb five times, ultimately claiming the final podium spot behind Tadej Pogacar in second place and Primoz Roglic as the winner. Adding to the team’s success, teammate Chris Harper claimed the King of the Mountains jersey.

Harper made a bold move with four laps remaining, leading the race solo at one point and forcing other teams to chase, providing crucial assistance to Yates. Despite a mid-race crash that left him with a ripped and bloodied jersey, Yates persevered and remained in contention towards the front of the pack. As the race neared its conclusion, only five riders remained in the lead group, culminating in an impressive final push up the challenging San Luca climb and a podium finish for Yates and Team Jayco AlUla.

Reflecting on his achievement, Yates commented, “It was a good ride, I think the podium was the best I could do. Unfortunately, I had a crash halfway through the race, but I was able to continue, and in general, my legs remained strong all day. I am happy to finish it off and make it onto the podium.”

Sport Director Andrew Smith praised the team’s resilience, acknowledging the challenges they faced. “Simon crashed before we even entered the circuits, and that would have taken a lot out of him,” said Smith. “The guys all stuck to their guns and showed great character. Simon demonstrated his class by remaining at the front with Roglic and Pogacar.”

The impressive performance by Harper, who secured the mountains jersey, played a vital role in the team’s success. “He was out front for a while, and that took the pressure off the team, so it was a fantastic ride by the team as a whole,” added Smith.

The 2023 Giro dell’Emilia results are as follows:

1. Primoz Roglic – 4:49:44
2. Tadej Pogacar – +0:01
3. Simon Yates – +0:01

Photo by Sprint Cycling.