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In a surprise announcement on Wednesday, two-time Grand Tour victor Simon Yates revealed his decision to retire from professional cycling.
The news comes just seven months after his triumphant win at the Giro d’Italia, capping off what many consider the finest season of his career.
Despite having another year on his contract with Team Visma-Lease a Bike, the 33-year-old explained that he had been contemplating the move for some time and felt that now was the appropriate moment to step away.
Yates’s career was a testament to endurance and redemption.
After bursting onto the scene in 2016, he faced an early hurdle with a four-month suspension following a clerical error regarding a therapeutic use exemption.
However, he quickly proved his mettle by securing a stage win and a sixth-place finish at the Vuelta later that year.
He spent over a decade in the professional peloton, much of it alongside his twin brother Adam, establishing himself as one of the most formidable climbers of his generation.
The defining narrative of Yates’s career was his relationship with the Giro d’Italia. In 2018, he dominated the race for weeks before a legendary collapse on the Colle delle Finestre saw his lead evaporate.
In a poetic turn of events, it was on that very same climb in 2025 that Yates made his decisive move to secure the Giro title.
This victory, combined with his 2018 Vuelta a España title and a total of eleven Grand Tour stage wins, cements his legacy as a titan of the sport.
In his parting statement, Yates expressed a deep sense of peace and pride. He thanked Visma-Lease a Bike for their support, noting that while his victories were highlights, the hardships and setbacks were what truly shaped his character.
Reflecting on his journey, he remarked that the sport has given him more than he ever imagined, leaving the peloton not just with trophies but with the lessons of resilience and patience.
