Skip to content

Simon and Adam Yates to lead Great Britain at Road World Championships

By PA Sport

Sunday 16 September 2018 19:14, UK

Michelton Scott 61 YATES, Simon (GBR), 62 YATES, Adam (GBR), 63 CHAVES, Jhoan E. (COL), 64 POWER, Rob (AUS), 65 HAIG, Jack (AUS), 66 IMPEY, Daryl (RSA), 67 VERONA, Carlos (ESP) and Director David MCPARTLAND 98th Volta Ciclista a Catalunya 2018 / Stage 1 Calella - Calella of 152,3km during the Tour of Catalunya, March 19th of 2018 in Calella, Spain
Image: Simon Yates (far right) and twin brother Adam (far left) will both compete in Innsbruck

La Vuelta leader Simon Yates and his twin brother Adam will lead Great Britain's men's team at the UCI Road World Championships in Innsbruck later this month, British Cycling have announced.

Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and Giro d'Italia winner Chris Froome, who were both named in the longlist for the event, announced at the Tour of Britain last week they would not take part due to fatigue at the end of a long season.

But the event has long been a target for the Yates twins, who feel the mountainous course plays to their strengths.

Simon Yates pulled on the leader's red jersey on stage nine of the 2018 Vuelta a Espana
Image: Simon Yates will lead the GB men's team at the Road World Championships

Simon Yates has enjoyed a breakthrough season to date. The 26-year-old led La Vuelta by 33 seconds at the start of Wednesday's stage 17, while in May he led the Giro d'Italia for 13 days.

The Yates twins will be supported in Austria by Ian Stannard, who took a superb solo victory on stage seven of the Tour of Britain, as well as national champion Connor Swift, Hugh Carthy, Pete Kennaugh, Tao Geoghegan Hart and James Knox.

Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome will line up for Team Sky in the Tour of Britain next month.
Image: Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome have been rested

Hart and Alex Dowsett will race in the men's time trial.

The women's team will be led by Commonwealth Games road race bronze medallist Dani Rowe, with Hannah Barnes, Dani Christmas, Alice Cobb, Anna Henderson and Sophie Wright also competing.

Also See:

Barnes' sister Alice will compete in the time trial along with Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Hayley Simmonds.

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: "We've selected a strong team to take on this year's world championships, and there's a lot of talent within the squad.

Dani Rowe
Image: Dani Rowe will lead the women's team

"Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas are obvious omissions from the men's team, and this was a decision we made mutually.

"Given the challenging nature of the course, we want every rider selected to be able to give their 100 per cent to the team, and on the back of what has been an incredible season for both G and Froomey, it's understandable they are unable to commit to this."

The world championships take place from September 23-30 in Innsbruck, with the elite road races being held on the final weekend.

Around Sky

Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch every minute of end of season

Not got Sky? Get instant access to Sky Sports with no contract