Simon Yates hints at Tour de France general classification ambitions while discussing supporting role for Jonas Vingegaard - 'Keep the option open'

Visma-Lease a Bike's Simon Yates said he is "under no illusions" that he will likely play a supporting role to Jonas Vingegaard in the Tour de France, but hinted at his own general classification ambitions. Yates is entering the Tour in the form of his life, having claimed his second Grand Tour triumph at the Giro d'Italia. You can watch the Tour de France on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike) said he is "under no illusions" that he will likely play a supporting role to Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour de France, but suggested he also had general classification ambitions of his own.

There has been much conversation ahead of the Tour de France - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - about the likely battle between Vingegaard and UAE Emirates-XRG star Tadej Pogacar for the yellow jersey.

Yates, who is fresh from his second Grand Tour triumph at the Giro d’Italia, insisted "Jonas is the man" ahead of the Tour, but didn’t rule out the possibility of also aiming for GC.

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"I'm not going to purposely lose time, unless something happens, because you never know," Yates said. "I think we'll maybe keep the option open. But Jonas is the man."

Referencing his role as a super domestique, he added: "I've never really done that role, to be honest.

"I'm not, let's say, afraid to do that role, I think I can do a really good job, but it will be something new for me.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"Earlier in the year, I was supposed to ride with him at the Volta a Catalunya, but I think after the setback he had in Paris-Nice it didn't happen. But we'll make it work.

"I've only really been with him on certain training camps, in Tignes and at the start of the year. He's a really easy person to work with, relaxed, but very professional.

"He just covers all the details, as you would expect from somebody of such a high level and to race with him, I'm actually quite looking forward to it, racing with him."

Yates added that he had not yet celebrated his Giro victory, due to his Tour de France preparation.

"It sounds ridiculous, but I'm still in disbelief that I managed to pull it off," Yates said. "Morale is high, and hopefully, I can continue with those feelings for the rest of this race, too."

Watch and stream the 2025 Tour de France live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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