GRITTY IN PINK

Yates buries the agony of bitter defeat seven years ago to join ranks of the greats

- BY MIKE WALTERS XeMieWaltersMcm

HIS tears fell like melting Alpine snow on the forbidding slopes where imminent triumph had evaporated seven years ago.

It was on the Colle delle Finestre, with the Giro d'Italia’ fabled Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey) at his mercy, that Simon Yates cracked in 2018 and fellow Brit Chris Froome disappeared over the horizon on a stunning 50-mile solo breakaway.

But as Yates rode into Rome yesterday as Britain's 12th Grand Tour winner since 2012, this time he was pretty in pink.

If the Finestre had broken his resolve when Froomes ambush left him 38 minutes down the road, this time it was a 7,146ft monument to Yates's spirit.

When historians compile their dossiers on a golden age for British cycling, the pages will show that only the all-time great Froome has won more Grand Tours than the Boy from Bury.

And unsung or not, Yates will take his place in the pantheon of our blazing saddles on the road.