As the Tour began its long march from the decisive mountains in the Alps towards the Champs-Élysées in Paris, Adam Yates was asked if any of his team-mates could tell him and fraternal twin Simon apart if they swapped kits. There was a pause before he answered: "Maybe. He's a bit skinnier than me right now."
In truth, superficial differences aside, the twins have never been closer than at this Tour, the first they have ridden while both targeting the general classification. Their races panned out differently on their way to finishing third and fourth on GC, separated by just 1:27, but both have reasons to celebrate.
For Adam that's the podium plus a stage win in Bilbao on the first day of the race and a subsequent yellow jersey stint. Escaping alongside his brother on that stage set the tone of the next three weeks for the pair, who would frequently find themselves on the attack, perhaps most notably on stage 17, where Simon just came up short of a stage win and Adam secured a podium spot.
This story is from the July 27, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 27, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike