The form of Simon Yates shows no sign of abating as he raced to success in Stage 11 of the Giro d’Italia – but he is wary of the challenges that still lie in his path.
The Bury racer went through the gears in the closing stages of the 156km leg to surge across the finish line in Osimo and claim his second stage win of the tour.
Yates, 25, displayed superb endurance to hold off the challenge of defending champion Tom Dumoulin on the steep climb to the finish after attacking with 1.5km to go.
He retained the pink jersey and now leads the Dutchman by 47 seconds in the general classification, with French rider Thibaut Pinot in third, one minute and four seconds behind Yates.
Yates’ fellow Brit, four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome, lost 40 more seconds to the leaders and his chances of winning now look unlikely.
But the day again belonged to Yates, who has backed up his terrific stage nine win with another victory, extending his run in the pink jersey into a sixth day.
And he revealed that while a pre-planned assault for the stage win was not on the cards, he was determined to seize the opportunity when it presented itself.
“We decided before the stage that we wouldn’t chase for the stage, because normally in a finish like that there are some faster guys who have won before me,” said Mitchelton-Scott’s Yates.
“That also proved true – the guys like Tim Wellens and Lotto-Jumbo, they came to the front to chase.
“They were obviously confident for the finish. That wasn’t the plan, but if it came back I would of course try.
“I’d prefer to be getting more time on Tom [Dumoulin]. He was really chasing me all the way to the finish there.
“He looks better than the other day on the steep finishes there. I think he’s getting better as the race goes on, and that’s not good news for me.” Sportsbeat 2018