Yates' Visma Gamble Pays Off

Briton claims Giro crown with new team in boost ahead of Tour de France

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ROME – Simon Yates won the Giro d'Italia on June 1 after cruising home in the pack to seal a career-defining victory in the final procession stage, won by his teammate Olav Kooij, around Rome.

Briton Yates effectively secured his second Grand Tour triumph on May 31 when he took the leader's pink jersey from Isaac del Toro with an epic effort in the Italian Alps.

The 32-year-old, who rides for Team Visma-Lease a Bike, is the first man to win the Giro without taking a single stage since Alberto Contador 10 years ago.

Yates came out on top in a Giro missing 2024 winner Tadej Pogacar and Yates' teammate Jonas Vingegaard and blown wide open by the retirements of pre-race favourites Primoz Roglic and Juan Ayuso. He is the Giro's 12th different winner in as many editions.

The win also validates his pre-season decision to move to cycling giants Visma after 10 years with the same Australian team, now called Jayco Alula.