'Not even Hollywood could script this' – Studio in awe as Simon Yates conquers Giro d’Italia demons to seize pink jersey
By James Hilsum
Updated 31/05/2025 at 18:59 GMT+1
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The Giro d'Italia certainly delivered with an incredible day of action on the penultimate stage of the Grand Tour. The Breakaway pundits waxed lyrical about Simon Yates' performance, and presenter Orla Chennaoui summed it up quite brilliantly. She said, poetically: "This is a legend that has been seven years in the making. The ghosts of 2018 have been laid to rest."
Highlights: Simon Yates detonates on Colle delle Finestre to take thrilling Giro win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Simon Yates' stunning ride at the Giro d'Italia was "fuelled by the memories" of his "capitulation" on the Colle delle Finestre, says TNT Sports expert Matt Stephens.
Yates and Visma-Lease a Bike team-mate Wout van Aert combined in blistering fashion in the valley on the road to the ski resort of Sestriere, after the Briton had attacked race leader Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) on the Finestre.
He has now all but secured the pink jersey, seven years after losing it in agonising circumstances on the slopes of the Finestre to Chris Froome.
"I'm getting a bit choked up thinking about it because we love this sport and we know what it takes," Stephens said on The Breakaway.
"That performance was fuelled by the memories of a capitulation that he's constantly reminded of. The race fell perfectly for him but he had to ride the race of his life, on some of the most unrelenting yet beautiful terrain. That's the ride of his career, that might define his entire career.
"He's just won the Giro d'Italia, he's also won the Vuelta [a Espana]. How many riders have won two Grand Tours? A magnificent win for him, for the team and for cycling."
- 'It got spiteful' - Carapaz and Del Toro 'played poker and they both lost'
- Yates rips pink jersey from Del Toro's back after blistering attack on Colle delle Finestre
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‘Both played a game of poker and lost’ – Stephens on strategy that cost Del Toro and Carapaz
Video credit: TNT Sports
This theme of redemption was echoed by Robbie McEwen, who lauded a tactical masterstroke by Visma.
"Winner, winner, roast beef dinner," McEwen said. "Wow. We talked about it in hushed tones, ‘imagine if the script was flipped?’
"From now on, we will talk about doing a Yates. It's not luck, it's good management, good teamwork, everything coming together on the day, and self-belief as well."
Those sentiments were also expressed by co-commentator Rob Hatch, as the 32-year-old laid the demons of 2018 to rest.
"They will now call it doing a Yates," Hatch said. "Redemption like we've never seen it. Not even the best Hollywood scriptwriters would have put this together.
"It is sensational. Remember where you were."
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‘I really didn’t believe’ – Simon Yates reacts to EPIC Giro win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Meanwhile, Yates was overcome with emotion following his exploits, with a second Grand Tour success now within touching distance.
"To be honest, [it wasn’t until] 200 metres to go [that I realised what I had done]. I was on the radio, blabbing for the time gap, because I never truly believed until the very last moment," he said.
"I’m a bit speechless really. I think it’s still sinking in," he added, welling up. "I’d say I’m not really an emotional person but even coming over the finish there I was really – I couldn’t hold back the tears. I’ve realised something that I’ve worked towards throughout my career, for year after year - a lot of setbacks. Yeah, I finally managed to pull it off."
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