Simon Yates reveals influence of Visma–Lease a Bike team-mate Jonas Vingegaard - 'Motivating and inspiring'
Updated 28/01/2025 at 13:57 GMT
Visma–Lease a Bike strengthened their team for 2025 with the addition of the experienced Simon Yates, whose arrival could boost Jonas Vingegaard's chances of success this year. And the Brit has spoken effusively of his new team-mate and two-time Tour de France winner, revealing the impact working alongside him has had just weeks into their nascent relationship.
Yates on influence of 'inspiring' Vingegaard at Visma-Lease a Bike
Video credit: TNT Sports
Simon Yates has admitted that his standards have been raised by working with new team-mate Jonas Vingegaard.
Yates is the latest member of Visma–Lease a Bike, joining the team ahead of the 2025 season after a successful decade with Jayco–AlUla.
And the 32-year-old Brit has spoken highly of Vingegaard, twice winner of the Tour de France in 2022 and 2023 with Visma–Lease a Bike.
"You really realise, once you ride with him, and just sitting with him at dinner, all the tiny percentages really matter actually," Yates told Eurosport.
"Not that I was unprofessional before, but you skip things, you know, 'I don't want a massage today', and you realise maybe, day after day, these things make a small difference.
"It has been quite motivating and inspiring to be with him day to day because I didn't know him that well before I joined the team. He's also welcomed me very well, so I'm looking forward to working together."
Yates spoke earlier this month of his desire to help Vingegaard to more glory in the same way that his brother, Adam, has aided Tadej Pogacar for UAE Team Emirates.
"I really want to be there for Jonas and play the same role my brother does for Tadej, so it’s shaping up to be an exciting rivalry," Yates said.
"We haven’t raced against each other all that often, but that will change this year. Let’s see who does better."
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'Seeing him get to an even higher level gives me motivation' – Vingegaard on chasing Pogacar in 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
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On his career goals with Visma–Lease a Bike, Yates added: "I just want to be the best Simon I can be.
"I’m not the youngest anymore, and I didn’t want to end my career with regrets, so that’s why I made this change. If I had retired without experiencing how it works in a big team, I would’ve regretted it later. That was my inspiration.
"I still feel young and highly motivated to chase big goals. I’m not thinking about the end of my career yet."
Stream the 2025 cycling season, including the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, live on discovery+
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