In an exhilarating display of sibling rivalry, British cyclist Adam Yates emerged victorious in stage one of the Tour de France in Bilbao, Spain, besting his twin brother Simon and claiming the coveted yellow jersey.
Having never secured a Tour de France stage win before, Adam Yates, representing UAE Team Emirates, showcased his prowess by surging ahead of his fellow competitor, Simon, who rides for Jayco AlUla. With a remarkable burst of energy during the challenging uphill finish, Adam clinched his maiden Tour stage triumph.
The talented Tadej Pogacar, a two-time Tour de France winner, secured a commendable third place in a thrilling sprint among a small group of riders. Reflecting on his strategy, Adam shared, “My brother caught up with me, and I was uncertain whether I should collaborate with him. I sought guidance, and they advised me to go for it.” Speaking to ITV 4, Adam expressed his overwhelming joy, stating, “It’s simply amazing—I am incredibly happy. Simon has been performing impressively, and we maintain a close bond. Sharing this experience with him is truly special. Although I wish he had eased up a bit, as he almost dropped me at one point.”
Simon explained that cramps during the final climb affected his speed at the finish. He recounted, “There was some tactical maneuvering at the summit, and Adam took the lead. He signaled to Pogacar, asking if he could proceed. The response was affirmative, so he went for it, and I chased after him. Initially, when he saw me catching up, he found himself in a challenging situation. He inquired on the radio, ‘Should I wait or continue?’ Initially, he didn’t pull me along, but I anticipated that. It was a tricky situation, but I had to seize the opportunity. Typically, in a fast sprint like that, I wouldn’t surpass Pogacar or Vingegaard, so joining forces with Adam presented a chance.”
Unfortunately, Spanish rider Enric Mas and Ecuadorian cyclist Richard Carapaz had to withdraw from the race due to a crash during the descent of Cote de Vivero. Mas sustained a shoulder injury, while Carapaz suffered a small fracture and required three stitches on his left knee.
The stage unfolded dramatically, with challenging terrain that kept riders on edge. The decisive moment occurred during the ascent of Pike Bidea, the final categorized climb of the demanding 182-kilometer route starting and ending in Bilbao. Tadej Pogacar and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, accompanied by French rider Victor Lafay, surged ahead and reached the summit first. However, both Yates brothers overtook them during the descent, establishing a 20-second lead over the chasing pack and setting the stage for a thrilling sibling battle.
With a burst of power in the last 500 meters, it was Adam who triumphed, glancing back over his shoulder before jubilantly crossing the finish line, arms raised in celebration. Pogacar, amid concerns about his fitness following a wrist injury earlier in the season, secured third place in the sprint, earning him four bonus seconds and an early advantage over Vingegaard, his main contender.
The Tour de France remains in the Basque Country for the second stage, a grueling 208-kilometer route from Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastian, featuring five additional categorized climbs.
Stage One Results:
- Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates) – 4hrs 22mins 49secs
- Simon Yates (GB/Team Jayco-AlUla) +4secs
- Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) +12secs
- Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) – Same time
- Michael Woods (Can/Israel-Premier Tech)
- Victor Lafay (Fra/Cofidis)
- Jai Hindley (Aus/Bora-hansgrohe)
- Mattias Skjlemose (Den/Lidl-Trek)
- Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo-Visma)
- David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ)
General Classification after Stage One:
- Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates) – 4hrs 22mins 39secs
- Simon Yates (GB/Team Jayco-AlUla) +8secs
- Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) +18secs
- Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) +22secs
- Michael Woods (Can/Israel-Premier Tech) – Same time
- Victor Lafay (Fra/Cofidis) – Same time
- Jai Hindley (Aus/Bora-hansgrohe) – Same time
- Mattias Skjlemose (Den/Lidl-Trek) – Same time
- Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo-Visma) – Same time
- David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) – Same time
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tour de France
Q: Who won stage one of the Tour de France?
A: Adam Yates, representing UAE Team Emirates, emerged as the winner of stage one of the Tour de France in Bilbao, Spain, beating his twin brother Simon and securing the yellow jersey.
Q: What was the final result of stage one?
A: The top three positions in stage one of the Tour de France were as follows:
- Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates)
- Simon Yates (GB/Team Jayco-AlUla)
- Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates)
Q: Did Adam Yates ever win a Tour de France stage before?
A: No, winning stage one of the Tour de France marked Adam Yates’ first-ever stage victory in the prestigious race.
Q: What happened to Enric Mas and Richard Carapaz during the race?
A: Enric Mas and Richard Carapaz had to withdraw from the race due to a crash on the descent of Cote de Vivero. Mas suffered a shoulder injury, while Carapaz sustained a small fracture and needed stitches on his left knee.
Q: What is the significance of the yellow jersey?
A: The yellow jersey is awarded to the overall leader of the Tour de France. Adam Yates, by winning stage one, earned the right to wear the yellow jersey as the current leader of the race.
Q: How did Tadej Pogacar perform in stage one?
A: Tadej Pogacar finished in third place in stage one of the Tour de France. Despite concerns about his fitness following a wrist injury earlier in the season, Pogacar showcased his strength by securing a spot on the podium.
Q: What are the upcoming stages of the Tour de France?
A: The race stays in the Basque Country for the second stage, a 208-kilometer route from Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastian, featuring five more categorized climbs.
More about Tour de France
- Tour de France Official Website
- UAE Team Emirates Official Website
- Team Jayco-AlUla Official Website
- Tadej Pogacar Official Website
- Enric Mas Official Twitter
- Richard Carapaz Official Instagram