PLUS: CYCLING STAR FOLLOWS TWIN TO TOUR GLORY
YATES FOLLOWS TWIN TO STAR IN FRANCE
BURY’S Simon Yates was keeping it in the family as he won the white jersey for the Tour de France’s best young rider – 12 months after his twin brother Adam.
The 24-year-old Orica-Scott rider emulated the achievement of Adam his younger brother by five minutes - as he crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
It was a triumphant return to the Tour for the former Derby High School and Bury College student, who took seventh place overall, after he missed out on last year’s race due to a ‘non-intentional’ doping ban.
His team said the failed test had been caused by an administrative error after they failed to get clearance for the use of an asthma inhaler and that there had been no wrongdoing by the rider.
But Yates was still banned for four months and was forced to watch from the sidelines as Adam was named best young rider and came fourth overall.
Speaking after collecting the white jersey and seeing fellow Brit Chris Froome claim his fourth victory in the race, Simon said: “I’m really happy. The team did a fantastic job from the beginning. Now it is slowly starting to sink in.
“I tried to race aggressively, I attacked when I could, and when I couldn’t I tried to save energy.”
Adam did not compete in this year’s Tour de France, focusing instead on the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia.
The twins, who grew up in Redvale, near Bury town centre, began riding with the Clarion Club in their hometown as eight-year-olds after being introduced to the sport by their parents Susan and John.
They later joined the Eastland Velo track cycling club - whose former members include six-time Olympic gold medallist Jason Kenny.
Peter Foster, social secretary at Bury Clarion, paid tribute to the twins’ achievements.
He said: “It is great for Simon and Adam and it is great for us as a club.
“They are both still members, along with their dad, and everyone associated with the club is really proud of what they have achieved.”
Froome’s fourth yellow jersey put him fifth on the all-time list behind greats such as Eddy Merckx and Miguel Indurain. Froome’s wife Michelle and son Kellan were waiting near the finish line to celebrate with the 32-year-old.
He said: “It’s just an amazing feeling, The Champs-Elysees never disappoints. There’s something magical about it when you spend three weeks thinking of this moment.
“It’s amazing to see my wife and my son again after several months on the road. Each time I’ve won the Tour it has been so unique. All my victories are so special in their own ways.”